As part of the celebration of our 20th anniversary, we thought it might be fun to talk to some of our “old time” Music Together® students to see how music has impacted their lives since participating in classes those many years ago…..
......when the cost of a gallon of gas was $1.26, you could mail a letter for 33 cents and buy a dozen eggs for 89 cents? The iPod was a year away from invention, the iPhone wasn’t even imagined yet, and Jennifer Anniston and Brad Pitt were happy newlyweds. Well in 2000, our kids were young (as were we) and we were just starting Music Together in Charlotte! In a small annex in the back of Carrie’s house, 10 families got together every Tuesday afternoon for 45 minutes of music-making and fun. Since then, Music Together of Charlotte and its amazingly musical and loving teachers have served nearly 25,000 registrants in nine locations throughout the Charlotte area. WOWEE!
On September 13, 2000, Elizabeth Hobbs was not quite a year old. She joined the class along with her two triplet brothers, Hunt and Billy, her mom and a very game helper! From there, the Hobbs triplets (and later their younger brother, Sam) continued with Music Together, taking classes at Spirit Square for many years. Like most of us, Elizabeth doesn’t remember a lot before the age of four, but she vividly recalls banging the red sticks on the floor as she experimented and played with different beats! And when she hears “Biddy, biddy,” she recognizes the tune and remembers her mom singing that with her and her brothers.
Since participating in Music Together as a toddler, Elizabeth has continued to make music a big part of her life. Although she took piano lessons and some guitar instruction, Elizabeth’s primary expression of music is through her voice. After singing in choirs through elementary and middle school, Elizabeth joined a very serious church choir at her high school, St. Paul’s School in Concord, NH. She sang alto and soprano and traces her competence in singing and reading music to the challenging classical pieces sung in the choir. Even today, she loves going to a hymnal to sing, and often finds the alto line or high soprano descant to add texture to the voices of those around her. At St. Paul’s Elizabeth also led the female a Capella group, the Madhatters. As the leader she created all the arrangements and led the group in many performances. (She recalls that one of her favorite arrangements was of Viva la Vida – we would like to have heard that!)
Elizabeth and brother, Sam, prepare to sing at Eton College, UK.
Elizabeth’s father played the sax growing up, and mom Beth has a beautiful singing voice. Two of Elizabeth’s brothers are equally accomplished, dedicated singers and another brother plays the drums. Music remains a huge part of their family life. Whether singing in church together or singing happy birthday as a group (with harmonies, of course!), the Hobbs family still makes music an important part of family life.
Like so many college students who are focused on course work, Elizabeth does not currently have the time for formal music training. But she continues to find great joy in singing, attending live concerts, and listening to music. She knows that music will always be a part of her life and is thankful that her mom and dad exposed her to music at such a young age!