lost in music

Louise is lost in music. She sits on a sofa in the spacious airy extension to the rear of her house, on the wall behind her a lovingly assembled collage of family photos. Louise cradles a CD in her hands. She looks down and smiles. It brings back memories.

“I’m old-school - I’ve still got a CD player.  Music’s helped me through good times and bad. I believe it’s important to remember the bad times too…

My dad’s very musical, classical mostly. I can remember as a young girl sitting round the table with the family at lunchtime with classical music  on in the background.

We kids liked loud pop music in the car. I remember singing along to, ‘We’re all going on a summer holiday!’ When we went away we each chose five or six of our favourite songs and my brother, Richard, would make a mix-tape.

I think it’s in the blood. My sister Rachel’s very musical too - she’s a Grade 8 cornet-player

and pianist. Mind you, my mum’s tone deaf, bless her!

My father was a Minister and we moved to Guernsey when I was eleven. I started piano lessons but was pretty hopeless.  My teacher also gave singing lessons and I think out of sheer frustration she asked me one day if I wanted to sing. She was so encouraging - she told me I had a really nice tone.

Music has definitely helped me in my faith. My father used to take a group from Guernsey to The Methodist Association of Youth Clubs annual meeting in London. I often went with him and the first time I felt connected to Jesus was in the Albert Hall singing, ‘As the deer pants for the water’ with hundreds of others. I was completely moved by the music.

So back to my singing. One thing led to another and I joined a ladies choir called, ‘Les Chasonelles’, which means, ‘The Girls’! We sang classical pieces and popular tunes from the shows, things like ‘A Nightingale sang in Berkeley Square.’ The choir won a competition in Europe and an international event in Jersey.  I also sang at weddings and in church, during prayers and meditations.

I was working in mental health at the time but after a failed relationship I gave up everything at the age of twenty-five to go travelling. Ten months later I met Steve in Australia and the rest is history. We got married and six months later I was pregnant with Adam. Life got really busy!

I started coming to Streetly Methodist Church ten years ago when Adam was eight months old.  It was a Parade Service and I got a really warm welcome. Everyone thought I was a Rainbow mum!  I went on to join a House Group run by Kirsten on Thursday nights. It was there I told someone I used to sing, it may have been Frankie or Vicky. I’d lost all confidence and was very rusty, but I started singing again with Vicky. I found it very therapeutic.

What sort of music do I like listening to?  I’m a huge Bon Jovi fan and ‘Thank you for loving me’ was played at our wedding. Richard got me into Bryan Adams who I saw play live recently.  I also love a CD by John Rutter which has a fantastic version of ‘All things bright and beautiful’ on it. I can’t stand the original! It reminds me of children singing out of tune.

I listened to a lot of music when I was recuperating from knee surgery. I had three operations and while I was resting my ear-phones were in constantly!

Yes, you could say I’m lost in music … “

Louise breaks off the interview to look down again at the CD she’s holding. She smiles fondly. It reminds her of Steve.