The power of music for protest and change

Growing up, my church-going, United Methodist parents listened to what I'd call Americana music, churchy hymns and gospel, and some country music. My maternal grandmother played piano by ear and played in Grandpa’s churches where he preached. My mom was a natural alto who could harmonize with any tune, and my dad had a fine voice and for a while sang in a barber shop quartet. When they were young, they both had music in their homes—my mom played the flute and piccolo and my dad played the trumpet and coronet. My brother still has my dad’s coronet.