My parents said that I was born singing. My Mom would tell me the story of how they would put me in the bath tub and I loved to sing. She wouldn't even have to sit in there with me because she could here me bellowing music all the way in the kitchen. She said once it stopped it was time to check on Maria.
There are so are so many great memories of music in the Pape family. It all started out with Grandma Pape being in a band with my Grandpa. Grandma sang and Grandpa played the fiddle. They even had one of the family members playing the jug. It seemed like every event someone was getting up and singing and.... THE HARMONY!! It was absolutely magical! I would sit there and listen to my Pa and his brothers and sisters singing songs from their childhood. It took no effort to make it blend!
Mom and Dad signed me up for Piano at an early age. I was never very good at it and I now know why. I enjoyed making up my own songs and experimenting on the piano and singing much more than reading the music. As talented as my Pa is; he can not read a note. It was all done by ear. True honest to God talent! I am now much better at piano (now that I teach the basics to children) and also by taking piano in college where they really kick your butt and you have no choice not to read.
Back when I was about 5 or 6 years old, I used to go out into the garage and sing my heart out. Little did I know that Mom and Dad were tape recording me and then surprise me at dinner time with "Dinner music" I was so embarrassed! I thought no one was listening because I was in my own little world and no one realized that in my head I was the lead singer in my own band.
So lets face it. Growing up I had the coolest Dad around with his 70's band Trinity and 80's band Crossroads. I was always so proud of him. That was MY DAD rockin it out. People dancing to his music and wanting more! He would invite his buddies on stage to join the jam. Tom Troestler with his harmonica was just outstanding. I would get to go along with him and end up falling asleep on a bar stool. If I was lucky he would invite me up on stage to sing with him! That was everything to me.
Not only did I get to go listen to music but as I started getting older I would get asked to sing in weddings with him. This is something I will never forget. We would harmonize together just like he would with his brothers and sisters.
There is nothing like being brought up with a variety of music in the house. Phil and I would get our daily list of chores and jam or chill out to Blondie, Peter Frampton, Elvis, Roy Orbison, the Ink Spots, Buddy Holly, Billy Joel and the list goes on and on... Mom and Dad taught Phil and I to appreciate music and really listen to the details of a song. To this day Phil and I listen to a song and it takes us right back.
You should hear my cousins sing and play there instruments. I have many cousins that are in bands, music teachers, or use their talent to sing in a local choir. I even had my talented cousin Ellen sing Ave Maria at our wedding . That reminds me that I need to go pop that in and listen to that! It was breathtaking!
To this day I enjoy getting together with my family and listening to the music magic. At my Grandma's 100th birthday I had the opportunity to sing with my Dad, brothers and sisters my cousins and they amazing talented 2nd cousins from Butler. The Pulvermacher Von-trap family singers. ;)
Thank you God for giving our family the blessing of music. It has brought our family close together in so many ways. The memories are thick! To this day I hope to pass on the love of music that was instilled in me to all the children in my life, because after all....it's the language of the world.
