Musician Memoirs is a feature where we ask our Lone Star Wind Orchestra’s musicians how has music changed their lives.
Name: Stephanie Robertson
Instrument: Bassoon
For as long as I have been alive, I have been intrigued by music. Some of my first memories are of my older brother punching me in the arm because I wouldn’t stop singing about anything from the kind of sandwich I was eating to the traffic signs we would see while driving. I was always drawn to musical instruments and I can remember my excitement when we got to play the recorder in music class. While my classmates were playing “Hot Cross Buns,” I was busting out Whitney Houston’s “I Will Always Love You.” My parents knew then that I was destined to be a band nerd.
At the end of sixth grade, we got to pick our instruments for the following year. I chose the bassoon (which at the time I actually thought was the bass clarinet). I was very surprised when I opened my case and saw a startling assortment of long wooden sticks. I begged my dad to figure out how to put the thing together so I could play on it (this was before Google). We (he) figured it out, and I played my first notes. I was hooked. That night I figured out how to play the theme song to the “Mary Tyler Moore Show” and “Build me up Buttercup” by The Foundations. My family and I didn’t know at the time that this was not normal. That day I became “special.” My band directors couldn’t believe it. Music was inside of me from birth, I believe, just waiting to come out. From that point on, until I entered college, I was special. For an insecure 12 year old girl entering Jr. High, it was good to be special. Music gave me a place to belong, something to excel in, a way to be great.
Music came very naturally to me. I think that is partly because I am a very passionate person. If I love something, I love it very deeply. I believe that dedication it took to deeply immerse myself in a craft enough to become successful gave me tools and the confidence I needed to be able to excel in my career today as a Realtor. I am very grateful to have the Lone Star Wind Orchestra as an outlet for my first love – music, while being able to devote myself fully to my biggest passion – finding people homes!