My mother played the violin in Jr. High and High School. She loved it. Her Mother-in-law was babysitting one night and used the bow of the violin to “spank” my oldest brother and broke it. Mom was so devastated and could not afford to replace it that she put it away and never really played again. She got me interested in taking band in 6th grade and I played Clarinet for 4 years. I was first chair for most of the four years. I had aunts that played piano and I got a late start getting a piano in 9th grade. My dad played a mean harmonica. His father played one and he taught himself to play. He could not read music. It was all by ear. My husband has a beautiful voice and sings beautifully. (He is 80 now and no longer sings) He had an opportunity to go professional in his youth and chose not to take that road. My grandchildren are the real talent. They all play better than I ever did.
Windsor Concert Grand - Upright Piano By Sandra Bennion My grandmother, Minnie Warren, bought this piano for my Aunt Vena Jean who was about 10 years old, when they got the piano so grandma would have bought it in about 1942. She was 12 years younger than my mother and the youngest child. I remember grandma saying the lady who owned the piano was 80 years old and had been a concert pianist most of her life. I assumed she was the original owner but I don't know for sure or when she bought the piano. Maybe that information is on the inside somewhere and we will look. Vena Jean got married in 1952, I was one. I remember sitting at this piano in Grandma’s living room at about 5 or 6 years old. Mom and my Aunt Rita and Grandma were in the kitchen, and I started playing on the keys like a kid would. Then I put may arm on the base end and pushed to make a “monster” sound. Grandma came in and gently put the lid down …and locked it! (I still have the key!) That was when I heard about needing to take care of the ivory keys. Grandma sold the piano when I was about 7 to a lady in our neighborhood, Mary Ann Barber. My mother was so upset because she wanted the piano and did not know that grandma was going to sell it. Mom went to Mary Ann Barber and told her that if she ever wanted to get rid of it to please call her first. It was about 10 years later, I was in 9th grade, when Mary Ann called my mom and said that her kids were now gone and no one played the piano and that if mom wanted it Ruth would sell it back to her. So she got it for me. I knew music because I had been first chair clarinet for most of four years from 6th through 9th grades. Grandma was happy to have the piano back in the family. I took lessons for about 6 months. My piano teacher was Arvilla Croshaw, a wonderful lady a block away that I had known all my life and was a dear friend of our family. My first (and last) recital piece was “Exodus”. But was frustrated because I couldn't play the “hard” stuff like I had played in band. Also life at that age had become very busy and I was involved in a lot of other things and did not put forth the effort to practice like I should. We got to the point where she said we were wasting her time and mine. So I quit taking lessons, and just played around and learned things that I wanted to. I didn't learn the technique and discipline like I should and slaughtered the timing and basically played for myself. I was never good enough to accompany anyone. When I got married, I took the piano with me. We were in Pocatello. Our oldest daughter took lessons for a short time but wasn’t really interested in it. We moved to Idaho Falls for three years and then moved to Utah. We've been here for 42 years Our two youngest children did take lessons for a short time. We had a neighbor lady who was also a concert pianist. We had loaned them some money a while back and she suggested that she would give the kids piano lessons to help replay repay the loan. So the kids started taking lessons. It wasn't very long and they had a Christmas break in the lessons. After Christmas when it was time to go back to the lessons they refused to go. This is when I found out that their teacher was not very nice to them and was sometimes even mean. I'm sure it was from the embarrassment of owing us money and she was dealing with a health issue, because she was a good person. All three of my sons married girls that could play piano and most of their children have learned to play. When they came to visit, they would bring the music they were working on and play this piano so I could hear them play. There were only a few times when their dad would come in and say stop playing because we're trying to talk. I absolutely love hearing them play and having the wonderful music come from this piano and their talent come through that I did not achieve. They are all so much better than I ever was and they love it. The times that I have had it tuned the tuners would comment on the wonderful tone it had. They would comment on the intact ivory keys. My kids and grandkids were told that the only thing allowed on the keys were fingers. No cars, or toys. In fact it was a whipping offense if that happened. This piano has been promised to my grandson Daniel. He plays well and was even a ward organist a time or two in the wards on his mission because they did not have anyone that could play. He just recently started taking lessons again to continue improving. I would love for this piano to be restored to its great potential and sound for another generation or more to create wonderful music and take advantage of the instrument that I let slide in my busy life. There are so many times I look back and wish I’d taken the time for “me”. My heart swells with joy when my grandchildren play and see their love of playing become an important part of their lives and not a sideline. They are not afraid and are readily willing to perform.
