Aside from public school, and later, shooting pool, my most consistent activity as a youngster was the cello lesson. School and pool I managed on my own, but these music lessons required the presence of a parent, or ‘home teacher’ as they were sometimes called by practitioners of the Suzuki method, a system of musical education designed to build character and empathy over technical ability. Suzuki students often begin playing at age 5 or 6, listening and echoing musical phrases as one would a new language, so a ‘home teacher’ is necessary to guide practice sessions between lessons, to help maintain whatever focus is manageable at that age, and to operate the record player.
Though she was not at all fond of the goateed, small-minded, conservative patriot who ran our Suzuki school in East Rochester, my mother was a devoted and excellent home teacher, attending lessons every week and driving us to Saturday group rehearsals for nearly a decade, because I enjoyed playing, and because she believed in the power of music to enrich our lives. It was a little like going to church, but less onerous; dressing presentably and trying to be somewhere on time, enmeshing our lives with families from other backgrounds, kids from other schools, with social structure and a common goal. I made good friends there, and my mother and I enjoyed our shared community, despite its questionable leadership.
We children grew up and scattered, and I’ve seen few of these old friends in recent years, but my mom has maintained friendships with a number of the ‘Suzuki mothers’ and though child development is no longer the uniting force, their relationships have deepened over the decades and provide a model for me of the continuing friendship and nurturing community that make life bearable, if not delightful. Thank you, Mom, and thanks to all of the mothers, and fathers, and adults of all stripes, who take the time to engage with children, and to do the work necessary to build a supportive community - Oakland Yard salutes you!!!
TONIGHT - THURSDAY NIGHT FLIGHTS:
LOIRE SAUVIGNON BLANCS and MENDOZA MALBECS
2021 Delobel Angle Droit Touraine Sauvignon Blanc
2021 Les Deux Moulins Sauvignon Blanc
2021 Domaine Adèle Rouzé Quincy
2018 Familia Furlotti Malbec
2021 Reunion Malbec
2018 Hinojosa Malbec
Red or White Flights $15 from 5-9pm and wines by the glass until 9pm
***SPARKLING SATURDAY 5/13***
LINDSAY ANSLEY & ADELINE JEWELRY POP-UP with BUBBLY FLIGHTS
The Diver Days of Youth Sparkling Wine
Domaine Ligier Crémant du Jura
Filipa Pato 3B Sparkling Rosé
$15 Sparkling wine flights & local, handmade jewelry for sale from 2-6pm ... And wines by the glass from around the globe until 9pm!
Cheers,
Max