My first pure musical experience was listening to Brahms’s Fourth Symphony. But I did not hear it in a concert hall, or even performed by a local ensemble. No, my true introduction to classical music came to me in my bed. I was about 9 years old and every night I buried myself under my covers with small radio. I grew up in a small farm town in Northern Indiana – two stop lights, too many cows and not much else. This radio was my only window to the outside world and I use to work the dial very hard to find a clear channel.
One spring night was particularly clear, and the antenna must have been in a proper position against the window, but as I rotated the dial into the lower frequencies, I stumbled upon the first bars of Brahms’ genius. The signals contained a slight buzz, but it was there, broadcasting classical music on 90.7 from Andrews University in Berrien Springs, Michigan.
I remember letting the music wash through me as I curled up in the blankets, hugging the radio against my chest and hoping it was quiet enough to not cause my mother to stir. I went to slept that night, with my ear full of music up to that point I had never experienced. I was not born to an artistic family, so my family was shocked at my desire to pursue a career in music, let alone with orchestras. Also, I never learned how to play an instrument, but that is a story for another time.
Growing up in a small farming community, it would have been easy for me to stay there, find a job and settle down. Instead, that single experience inspired me to look for opportunities beyond my town and follow the music. A few twists and turns (and 21 years later) and I have been blessed to be working for the Houston Symphony.
The other night I could not sleep, so I sat in the living room and listened to the end Mahler’s Symphony No. 9 on my surround sound system in the dark. Every day my life is full of music, and it all started from one static-filled broadcast from a local Midwestern radio station.
-Brandon VanWaeyenberghe, director, corporate relations
