My Father Wakes Up Laughing: The story of Edward and Janet Simons and their Musical Legacy

by Jo Simons

Overview

In this biography of her parents, Jo Simons chronicles how the oldest orchestra conductor in the country, Ed Simons (now 99), and his wife, Janet, enriched the musical opportunities in Rockland County, New York from 1950 to the present. This humorous and joyful personal biography reveals how Ed and Janet revolutionized Rockland’s music scene, and also inspired four generations of musical family members.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781633934498
Publisher:	Jo Simons
Publication date:	01/30/2017
Sold by:	Barnes & Noble
Format:	eBook
Pages:	314
File size:	31 MB
Note:	This product may take a few minutes to download.

About the Author

Jo Simons is a piano and Music Together teacher in Madison, WI and realized in 2009 that she needed to tell the story of her trailblazing musical parents, Janet and Ed Simons for being beautiful people, wonderful parents and also for the groundbreaking musical revolution they instigated in Rockland County, NY from the early 1950's to the present. My Father Wakes Up Laughing is Jo's first book. She is currently writing her memoir entitled Eat Poetry for Breakfast. Jo is also a poet who has had several of her poems published in Wisconsin poetry journals.

Table of Contents

INTRODUCTION 1 PRELUDE 4 Chapter One: The Beginning 8 Chapter Two: Dad 18 Chapter Three: Mom 32 Chapter Four: The 1940s 40 Chapter Five: Moving to Rockland County 54 Chapter Six: Settling In 64 Chapter Seven: Mom and Dad 80 Chapter Eight: Musical Beginnings 93 Chapter Nine: The Music School 111 Chapter Ten: More Newsletter News 144 Chapter Eleven: Eleven The Symphony 164 Chapter Twelve: Other Endeavors 185 Chapter Thirteen: Dad Returns to the Podium 202 Chapter Fourteen: More Musical News 214 Chapter Fifteen: Reflections on the CMS as Mom Retires 231 Chapter Sixteen: The '90s and Beyond 248 Chapter Seventeen: The Folks as Parents, Grandparents, and Great-Grandparents 264 POSTLUDE 290 ACKNOWLEDGMENTS 302

Editorial Reviews

Miriam Hall, writing teacher: Jo's romp through her family's personal and public history keeps just the right balance between insider perspective and music history review, with plenty of her clear, warm voice to carry the reader through.

Hedy Kunstmann, editor of this book and long-term flutist in Dad's orchestra: Well written book, full of love, warmth, and fun. Talented writer with an inspiring story to tell. The reader will enjoy this book.

Elliott Simons: My sister has brilliantly described the essence of the Simons spirit that was created by our dear parents.

Xan Ackerman Fischer, daughter and backup editor: Jo Simons has captured the facts, the emotions, and the nitty-gritty of a small part of history in the musical world with this book. The importance of community prevails in My Father Wakes Up Laughing and makes us all feel we are part of the musical family. Good job, Mom.

Sabrina Ftouhi, granddaughter and backup reader: My Father Wakes Up Laughing is a heart-warming biography that sheds some light on our family's musical legacy.

Izzy Fischer, granddaughter and songwriter: A story worth reading- full of magic and music, which, as far as I'm concerned, is all you need in life!

From the Publisher