Music of Diverse Cultures

Autobiography by Anna J. Micklatcher-Peterson

     As a child, I sang in the choir at my church.  My favorite hymns were the traditional favorites like Amazing Grace and Because He Lives.  I learned how to play those old-time hymns by ear after someone gave me an antique piano.  When I began the seventh grade, I wanted to learn how to read music and play the flute but had to get out of the class because I could not afford the instrument.  During my high school years, I enjoyed listening to 70’s and 80’s music.  Some favorites during that time were the Electric Slide and the YMCA.  I love all kinds of music, especially bluegrass.  Shortly after I got out of high school, I went to Virginia with my family and was able to experience some backwoods music and dance with real mountain folk.  I will never forget the old man named Phil who clogged with me to the bluegrass band that played that night.  My family still talks about the fun time we had that night with some really great people.

     Most of my musical experiences have been while homeschooling my daughter Lanna.  We have had many opportunities to attend some wonderful musical performances together that included theater and dance.  Many of those performances we saw throughout the years were performed by her friends or our family members.  That made it even more special to both of us.  Some of the examples were Beauty and the Beast, that was performed at Limestone College by many of Lanna’s friends and family.  This was extremely close to a broadway scale production because of the elaborate costumes worn by the actors.  We were fortunate enough to see Aladdin on broadway in New York City when Lanna performed at Carnegie Hall. 

Once, on a field trip, we went to Cherokee, N.C. and saw the Native American outdoor performance “Unto These Hills.”  It was a very moving drama that depicted the transition of life for the Indians from their freedom leading up to the trail of tears that nearly wiped out their culture as well as their entire population.  While exploring the town the next day, we learned how to do several Native American dances, including a rain dance. 

A few years ago, I was introduced to a family from Venezuela and we have become great friends.  They opened my eyes and ears to the Latin American culture and made me aware of my love for Hispanic music.  One of our fondest memories together is making a special bread while listening to their favorite traditional Venezuelan Christmas music.  We hope to visit them soon to see their beautiful country and experience the culture there first hand.

I continue to love all types of music, including the beautiful sounds of nature like the birds singing or water flowing.  Music reaches the hearts and souls of the individuals listening to it and gives us a sense of peace.