Introduction
As the world changes and music trends evolve, sometimes it’s the parents whose musical preferences change to match those of their children. This journey of a father’s transformative taste in music from rock and jazz to fusion is a testament to how influential a child’s musical curiosity can be. Let’s delve into the fascinating story of a father rediscovering his love for music through his son’s passion for fusion.
The Journey Begins
For years, I, the father, was exposing my son, who is now 20, to great rock and jazz. However, the tables have turned. Lately, he is the one exploring new musical territories, particularly fusion. Some of the fusion artists he introduced to me have caught my attention, such as the amazing band Snarky Puppy and the pianist Tigran Hamasyan, who is incredibly talented.
The Transformation
My story begins when I was still young, in elementary and junior high. More often than not, I was engaged in musical pursuits, playing the clarinet in band. It was a time when my parents, always supportive of my interests, were subjected to a lot of pop tunes and cheerful, fast-slow-fast compositions. The content of early band repertoires was generally light and of little substance or quality.
When I reached high school, my horizons, along with those of my parents, expanded significantly. My parents started to become more interested in the music we listened to, and my dad even purchased the “Best of Bands” CD at the end of my freshman year. From this point forward, he started to express a desire to understand and listen to what constitutes great band music. In response, my dad and I forged a tradition—a homemade CD titled “The Field Guide to Great Music for Wind Band.”
The CD included various pieces from classics, such as “Irish Tune from Country Derry” and Persichetti’s “Pageant,” to modern favorites like Maslanka’s “Give Us This Day.” It was a project filled with personal reflections and program notes that highlighted my experiences in band, like how I sight-read certain pieces.
Continuous Influence
While my homemade CD was a significant step, my dad’s transformation continued. He began exploring new band music on his own, using voice-activated commands like “Hey Google—play Frank Ticheli radio.” He even followed a Facebook page called “Live Wind Ensemble Concerts,” streaming band concerts from other universities, including those of my future gigs.
Beyond this, I must acknowledge that my dad has also been actively seeking out new band music, often suggesting pieces that I haven’t heard before. One memorable instance was when he mentioned, “Your band should really play ‘Southern Harmony.’”
A Resonant Gift
Banding music, as a niche genre, is a unique form of classical music with diverse capabilities and a rich repertoire. I turned my dad into a connoisseur of this genre, and the journey took a unique turn last weekend. My dad suggested that we needed more recordings of good bands playing beginner music. Inspired by this, I decided to gift him the MP3 tracks to Teaching Music Through Performance in Band: Grades 2–3 for Father’s Day. It’s a perfect gift to solidify the bond of musical discovery and appreciation we share.
This journey has shown how a child’s passion can shape a parent’s interests and, in turn, how embracing new music can bridge generational gaps and foster deeper connections.