In about 1946, Mom purchased a Mason and Hamlin
grand piano. Here is that piano at our 1206 Christine Street residence,
with a newer model Solovox attached. At the time, Mom had this piano and
rented a SECOND Mason and Hamlin grand for me so that we could play a piano
duo. The piece was Adelucia, I well remember this and the concert that
we gave together in the small town of Pampa, Texas. People really liked
classical music then. In fact, we drove more than 100 miles round trip
to Amarillo Texas to attend Community Concerts. I shall never forget the
visit of Jose Iterbi. What a memorable concert.
Early Malcolm the physician! My dad was a physician
and surgeon and he so wanted me to be one also. Indoctrination began early
as you can see at this Christmas photo when I was given a doctor's kit
at age 2. (1941)
Growing up! Here I am at about age 12 when we
lived at 1206 Christine Street in Pampa, Texas.
Here I am about 15 years old at Christine Street.
By this time my piano was very important to me. My teacher was Ms. Elise
Donaldson who later married and became Mrs. Waters. She was from
Tennessee and was a strict but a very excellent music teacher. She always
got mad that I could not read music well since I could learn so much better
directly from the ear. My Mom always helped me practice and would play
the piece for me. I could usually remember the piece on the first
try. That was my major way to learn the piece and then my music teacher
would go over the details and get it ready for recitals. I attended many
auditions and usually won most of those even up to the State of Texas
level.
