Music and My Family

Music is omnipresent in my family; it's there for the good, bad, laughter, and tears. I grew up in a very strict christian home. If we played name that hymn or spiritual, I would know them all. When I was younger I didn't enjoy going to church because it was extensive, and the preacher was communicating in a manner, which, I could not completely comprehend. So, until I was able to understand the sermon, I only went to church devotedly every Sunday--to sing (plus revival on a daily basis during festivals). My grandfather, Tiger, played the guitar in church; he couldn't read music, but he could play by ear.He is one of the reasons I learned how to read music when I was twelve. My family loves music, but I am the only one who can read it. Everything Tiger played sounded like the blues! Have you ever heard a blues arrangement of Amazing Grace?! Well, the arranger probably heard my grandfather play. During my study of music, I've learned that my grandfather's playing is the equivalent to some of his celebrity peers of his time.
Music is food to the soul. My family not only praises God through music, but we use it to grieve the lose of loved ones, to bond with the living, and welcome new ones; when my mother died we did all three. We had a house full of food and harmony . My sisters and I would put on a bootleg concert for family and friends, of my mothers favorite songs ( my mother liked secular music, as well as sacred). I would sing lead while Toni and Christina were back ground singers; and in-between songs we'd predict what hymn each Aunt was going to sing, before they pass out at the funeral.
With my grandmother my sisters and me would dance around the kitchen to Gospel while preparing Sunday dinner. Although my grandparents only listened to sacred music, I found LP's of Gladys Knight and the Pips by their fire place; maybe it was intended for firewood.
My siblings and I have different and similar musical taste. Christina, (the youngest of my mothers three children) only likes gangster rap and very explicit R&B, if it's not risky or taboo...she doesn't like it. Christina likes to "shake her groove thang", and be the club scene. Toni, listens to all the sad love songs, you can get her to listen to anything at least once, and she's very open minded about music, except hard rock.
Now, me on the other hand...I'm the musical black sheep of the family, and not to mention, performance junkie, if there was music I was there; I had principal roles in musicals and operas, I was Color Guard captain in Marching band, and section leader in my high school and collegiate chamber, jazz, and show choir ensembles.My love for western art music began with Schuberts Mass in G, Beethovens Moonlight Sonata, and Mozarts Ave Verum Corpus. My first Opera was Hansel and Gretel (I was Gretel), then The Marriage of Figaro, Porgy and Bess (Clara), and Suor Angelica (the Monitor/ La Zelatrice). My family makes fun of me for loving western art music, because it's as much apart of me as gospel, R&B, rock, etc... you should see my media player.