Pitch Perfect and Persistent!: The Musical Debut of Amy Cheney Beach
Music making filled Amy's home The Cheney family didn't have luxuries but they did have a clarinet and Mamma's piano Clara Cheney taught music lessons and could play the piano with her eyes closed She also sang soprano in the church choir and warbled some more while scrubbing at the washboard Amy ALWAYS lent an ear
Charles Cheney labored long hours at Grandpa's paper mill When Papa returned home he tapped his work worn boots but never in time to Mamma's music And Amy kept right on listening
In 1868 one year old Amy demanded songs She knew what music she wanted to hear When she wanted to hear it And how she wanted it sung At two Amy belted out an anthem from start to finish No mistakes Friends and relatives marveled Mamma worried
Amy MUST grow up as a normal child Not a musical prodigy Mamma stuck by her strong religious beliefs No indulgence No spectacle And certainly no piano But Amy's love for music only grew
