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.
