[This post is copied verbatim from a letter written by Hester and sent out in 1999 to various family members. If I have time, I'll scan the original letters and insert the images at the bottom of this post later.]
December 25, 1999
MUSICAL LIFE OF HESTER (KUIPERS) VEENSTRA
Soon my mother found a piano teacher for me. Lois Spencer came to our house and began teaching me the basics of piano playing. She taught me to play many of the pieces that my sister Bertha had played.
Another piece I learned in those early years of lessons was Woodland Echoes. I was 10 years old now. In those days when a couple married they would have refreshments and a program in a large room in the church following the ceremony. My sister, Jeanette, had a good friend, Anna Engelhard, who had heard me play Woodland Echoes and she liked it and asked if I would play it in the program at her wedding. I still remember that I did not make a mistake.
My next teacher was Mr. Post. He came weekly to our house to give me a lesson and left with 50 cents in payment for his instruction.
Later in my teens I walked to the home of Mrs. Stella Gezon Krombeem for lessons. No, I did not always enjoy practicing. There were many times that I longed to go outside and play ball, but I had to practice. My mother would tell me she was not going to pay for lessons if I wouldn't practice. She would mention what Bertha had told her. I think that encouraged my mother to inspire me to persevere in my practicing for only then could I develop "the touch".
A very special experience for me while studying under Mrs. Krombeem was the opportunity to play on the radio. Radio was just becoming popular at that time. Mrs. Krombeem sent her two best pupils to the radio station, WASH (which was operated by the Grand Rapids Laundry Co.), to play. Our names were announced and that we were pupils of Mrs. Krombeem. Then we each played a piece on the piano. I played my recital piece, and my music went over the airways and into homes where it was heard on the radio. Hovering around the radio, my family listened to their sixteen year old daughter and sister play the piano.
I was now playing for the Sunday School at Twelfth St. CR Church.
At about nineteen years old I started taking lessons from the organist of LaGrave Ave. CRC. Shortly, she began teaching me to play the organ. I could practice right across the from our house on the organ in 12th street CRC (our church). Once I became good enough on the organ I rotated with two other orgainst in playing for our church services.
I accompanied the Singing School every Monday night. Singing School was for anyone who loved to sing (there were no church choirs at the time). We enjoyed an evening of singing together and worked toward two major events each year. We put a cantata on at Easter and Christmas times. These cantatas were a big social event in the life of the church and they drew big crowds. Some members of neighboring congregations would be standing along the aisles. I remember one time when not enough seats had been reserved for those taking part in the cantata. When I walked in there was no seat for me. After those first self conscience,[sic] embarrassing seconds, I went straight to the piano and sat on the piano bench.
During one of these Cantatas I played the Prelude of C# Minor from memory. This was a rather difficult piece and today, looking back I can hardly believe I had it entirely memorized.
During this time having a church choir was a very controversial issue among the churches. Our minister, Rev. J. K. VanBaalan, wanted to see choirs take part in the worship service. He wrote a book on the issue and dedicated it to his three organists, Jack Vrieland, Evelyn Dreisen, and Hester Kuipers.
Playing and singing around the piano was a big part of entertainment when I was growing up. Remember there was no television and radio was a brand new thing. Sunday nights after church my family and I would gather around the piano and enjoy singing song after song. Besides those living at home, my married sisters and their husbands (Jeanette and John, Elsie and Harry) and some friends would often join us. I especially remember my friend, Pearl Zoet singing with us. My parents sat in chairs nearby and listening and sometimes joined in the singing. Those nights bring fond memories.
My sister Jeanette loved to sing and when she was still living at home, often after supper she would say "Hessie, get to the piano, let's sing". My Dad loved the piece Woodland Echoes and would occasionally put in his personal request for me to play it for him. Practicing the piano day after day was a regular routine for me. I can still hear my family in the kitchen at times clapping for me when I finished playing a piece with some degree of success. That was non-verbal encouragement that made me feel good.
When Marv and I married we joined the newly formed congregation at Seymour CR Church. I played a lot of piano there and was on of the churches[sic] regular organists.
By this time lessons had stopped, but not for good. When I was 82 years old I took lessons again for a short time. This time I wanted to concentrate on learning runs and adding "frills and thrills" to "plain" pieces of music. I was especially working on hymns.
Over the years the Lord gave me the opportunity to play in various settings. One that I enjoyed was playing at weddings. I played for many of my cousins' and friends' wedding and over the years for various members of our church. One piece that was very popular at weddings was Hearts and Flowers. Other pieces often requested were, I Love You Truly and God Gave Me You. Later, a new song, O Perfect Love, was often used. Always popular at weddings was The Lord's Prayer. Occasionally I would be told of the beautiful "touch" I had on the piano.
I accompanied different soloist.[sic] I regularly accompanied my lifetime friend (from 1st grade) Rachel Haan and a friend and neighbor, Grace Bratt. We would go to different churches and sing special music during the services. Rachel also sang in a trio with Mrs. Decker and Mrs. Konyndyk. We went with some regularity to the Madison Square Chapel to sing. Soloists told me I had "the touch" to feel the music with them.
Other places I played regularly were for evening services at the Godwin Gospel Chapel (supported by Seymour CRC), and for various VBS's at Seymour. When we wintered in Florida and attended the Orlando CR Church I often played either for the offertory or the entire service or sometimes a piano solo for special music. One time when I played How Great Thou Art a lady came up to me after church and said "I couldn't see who was at the piano but I knew it was you. You have that certain 'touch.'"
I have had the privilege of accompanying my friend, Rachel Haan, here at Sunset. What a joy to have such a dear friend living here and to be able to play and sing together when we're both 89 years old. Truly, the Lord is good! Once in a while I play my piano here in the lounge and recently one of the nurses, nicknamed "Bridges", commented on my playing and mentioned the special "touch" she thinks I have.
What's my favorites? Oh, there at so many that I have really enjoyed through the years. I have to agree with my Dad that Woodland Echoes is a very special one. I enjoyed playing marches and my favorite march is Heaven's Artillery. I also love many of the Dutch Psalms. Today I really enjoy sitting at the piano and playing hymns. I have tow that I play from memory that I arranged. One is Surely Goodness and Mercy Shall Follow Me played in different arrangements. The other is a medley of hymns which includes He Touched Me, God Is So Good, and I'm So Glad I'm A Part Of The Family Of God.
What's that "touch"my sister, Bertha, said I had, and that "touch" that has been mentioned different time[sic] throughout my playing "career?" It is a gift of God. An ability to play and interpret music, and through playing the piano, to put expression and feeling into the music. The ability to sense the mood and flow of the singer and play to enhance their singing and thereby the message of the song.
Thank you Bertha for hearing "the touch" and telling mother to be sure to give your little sister piano lessons. Thank you Mom for giving me lessons and yes, for insisting I practice before I go outside to play ball. Thank you family for your encouragement felt in so many ways. Thank you teachers for your instruction and your desire to have me master the various pieces and not give up.
Especially, Thank you Heavenly Father for giving me "the touch". Thank you for the means given to help me develop this gift. Music and the piano has meant a lot to me over the years. That you God for giving me so many place and opportunities to use this gift.
To my children and grandchild - I hope this framed sheet music will remind you of "the touch" your mother/grandmother was given. I hope these memories of my musical life will bless you as recalling these memories has blessed me. We've each been given a "touch" in some area. My prayer is that each of you will work to develop what God has given to you, and that you will give encouragement to those around you to persevere in using their God-given talent to His glory.
Stop in at Sunset, you may just be able to hear "the touch" as it moves of my piano keys in the lounge. I'd love to have an old fashioned sing-a-long around the piano with any (or all) of you.
With special love to each of you,
[signed] From your Grandma
Hester Kuipers Veenstra
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