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Music can take us to so many places and introduce us to so many things. I had the distinct pleasure of talking with Abra Mueller, an Early Music Choral Singer about her connection to music. This is part of a larger series in a project called Why Music
Abra’s musical journey began when she was young but didn’t really develop until she visited her then boyfriend who was attending the University of Southern Maine School of Music. She recalls her first experience being in the Early Music class that all freshmen take and being really taken by the history and early traditions of music. This day changed her course and she started in music school the following year. It was also in this class, on the very first day, that she recalls being completely overwhelmed to tears with what studying music would entail.
She continued and really found her passion when her private teacher started giving her chant and early renaissance music. Crediting her love and continued pursuit of music to the choral director at USM, which was Dr. Robert Russell who is now retired. As well as her private teacher.
The curiosity and interest in Early Music has brought her to several early music conferences and performances and now into the realm of pursuing a degree Music Librarianship. She performs regularly with an early music ensemble, St. Mary’s Scola, and the Choral Arts Society. The study of early music is even translated into her tattoos with the Guidonian hand outlined on her forearm. This is a mnemonic device that is used when learning to sight sing and was developed around the 12th century.
After talking with her the connection she has to music is somewhat mysterious but also one that she feels is important. I’ll let her tell that. Watch the video below.
