People often tell me I have “a gift” for music. While I appreciate the compliment, I always feel the need to correct them. The real gift came from my grandmother, who gifted me with regular music lessons under the instruction of a wonderful teacher. The rest was hard work that I had to put in myself.
Receiving a generous gift like regular instruction from a skilled musician can have profound effects on people—young and old alike. When the gift is given without strings attached (you better practice!) then the recipient is free to enjoy the education at their own pace, and focus on music they enjoy. It also provides each learner with an endless outlet of creativity, happiness, and intellectual development throughout his or her life.
“Music is powerful,” said Santa Maria Philharmonic Society vice president and local music teacher Dr. Lynne Garrett. “It’s a powerful way of communicating your emotions that you can’t do in any other way.”
Something as simple as a seven-note scale yields access to millions of songs and tunes enjoyed by all. Developing musicians can use these same notes to find their own personal music in an endless discovery of sound. This simple exploration can lead to feelings of self-empowerment with nothing more than an instrument and some basic harmonic knowledge.
“I have seen music absolutely transform lives,” Garrett said. “I just saw them take charge of their lives and become 10 times more enthusiastic about their lives because they had something that they could put all their attention and passion into.”
Garrett is one of many local music teachers who privately instruct students on a weekly basis. Specializing in piano, Garrett also teaches violin and viola, offering her students the ability to learn multiple instruments. This talent allows her and her students to enjoy both solo performance and collaboration in ensembles.
Ensemble performance has been studied extensively and proves that the experience is vastly rewarding to our minds and bodies. Something as formal as an orchestral performance—like the ones Garrett enjoys as violist with the Santa Maria Philharmonic—activate the same reward centers of the brain that traditional societies enjoy in spontaneous or ritual music making.
“What I see in the gift of music, is it is such a complete experience,” Garrett said. “It’s not just music, it’s an intellectual experience, an emotional experience, an experience of beauty; it’s just everything, a complete package.”
For those who don’t have someone in their life to whom they could gift a music lesson or musical instrument, there are still plenty of chances to give the gift to others. The Santa Maria Philharmonic Society is always looking for volunteers to help with its Music Van program, which takes orchestral instruments to schools and children’s programs to share information and let young people interact with these instruments.
A Hawaiian Christmas
Riverbench Winery offers a Hawaiian Christmas event including Hawaiian barbecue and a live ukulele band on Dec. 13 from noon to 3 p.m. at Riverbench Winery, 6020 Foxen Canyon Road, Santa Maria. Cost is $20, $5 for members. More information is available at 937-8340.
The sound of tradition
The Dana Adobe presents a Las Posadas celebration including food and music by a youth choir on Dec. 13 from 1 to 4 p.m. at the Dana Adobe, 671 S. Oakglen Ave., Nipomo. More information is available at 929-5679, marina@danaadobe.org, or danaadobe.org.
Songs of the season
The Santa Maria Public Library presents a holiday songfest with Craig Newton on Dec. 11 at 6 p.m. at the Santa Maria Public Library, Altrusa Theater, 421 S. McClelland St., Santa Maria. More information is available at 925-0994, Ext. 320, or cityofsantamaria.org.
Smith at Standing Sun
Standing Sun Wines presents Live in the Winery with Anthony Smith performing Dec. 13 from 7 to 10 p.m. at Standing Sun, 92 Second St., suite D, Buellton. Cost is $10 to $15. More information is available at 904-8072 or standingsunwines.com.
Sharing and listening
The Bookworm presents an open mic event on Dec. 13 at 8 p.m. at The Bookworm, 230 E. Betteravia Road, suite K, Santa Maria. More information is available at 922-4282 or quest@thebookwormcali.com.
Get down at the deli
Rancho Nipomo Deli presents a concert by Bay Area group Ruckatan and local band Calo on Dec. 14 at 6 p.m. at the Rancho Nipomo Deli and BBQ, 108 Cuyama Lane, Nipomo. Cost is $10. More information is available at 925-3500 or ranchonipomobbq.com.
Swingin’ Christmas
The Central City Swing Big Band presents a Big Band Jazz Christmas concert on Dec. 16 at 7:30 p.m. at the Unity Chapel of Light, 165 Stubblefield Road, Orcutt. More information is available at 937-3025.
Live at D’Vine
The D’Vine Wine Bar and Bistro features live music by This Valley on Dec. 13. Shows happen at 7:30 p.m. at the D’Vine Wine Bar and Bistro, 107 W. Ocean Ave., Lompoc. More information is available at 430-8356 or dvinewinebarandbistro.com.
Marquez on the mic
The Radisson Hotel presents live music Fridays and Saturdays, including Juan Marquez performing Dec. 12 and 13 from 6 to 10 p.m. at the Radisson, 3455 Skyway Drive, Santa Maria. More information is available at 928-8000.
Live at Lucia’s
Lucia’s Wine Co. offers an open mic event for musicians and poets on Wednesdays from 5:30 to 8 p.m. Live music by Bradley Tyson is Dec. 12. John Vicente and Clayton perform Dec. 13. Friday and Saturday concerts happen from 6 to 9 p.m. at Lucia’s Wine Co. Tasting Room, 126 E. Clark Ave., Orcutt. More information is available at 332-3080 or lucias-wine-co.com.
Get down at the Maverick
The Maverick Saloon offers live entertainment each weekend including Rock Night with DJ Totem performing Dec. 12 at 8 p.m. Concert on the Deck with Chase is Dec. 13 at 2 p.m. Wet Stone performs Dec. 13 at 8 p.m. at the saloon, 3687 Sagunto St., Santa Ynez. More information is available at 686-4785 or mavericksyv@aol.com.
Contact Arts Editor Joe Payne at jpayne@santamariasun.com.
This article appears in Dec 11-18, 2014.
