Memoir | Classical Music | Part VI of VI

It was yet another evening working late alongside the bureau's assistant secretary, as his primary office secretary clocked out at 5:00 PM sharp. He frequently requested that I step in as his proxy office secretary during these hours. During one of these evenings, I stumbled upon the enchanting melodies of classical music.

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On this particular night, as I assisted him, the clock struck 9:00 PM, and I was eagerly anticipating the completion of his project so we could finally leave. The lateness of the hour had started to make me irritable. While he was busy in his office, I was stationed in the outer area, diligently working away. Suddenly, my attention was captured by the exquisite sounds of unfamiliar instruments.

My immediate thought was, “What is this intriguing music?”

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In my early twenties, my musical taste was firmly rooted in the tunes of Prince, Madonna, Queen, U2, Michael Jackson, and gospel music. I had yet to encounter the refined, dramatic elegance of the sounds that were now filling the office.

Driven by curiosity, I hurried to the assistant secretary’s office to learn more about this captivating music. He explained that what I was hearing was known as classical music.

The particular piece that had caught my attention was “The Bells of St. Genevieve,” a composition by the French composer Marin Marais. Written in 1723, it featured the viol, violin, and harpsichord accompanied by a bass continuo.” (Wikipedia).

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By sheer coincidence, that same week I was introduced to classical music, I stumbled upon a remarkable film on a Saturday night: “Amadeus.” Although it’s a biographical film of the classical music composer Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, certain elements of the story are fictionalized.

As I later pursued online college courses, I explored the Renaissance music era, which served as a cornerstone for the development of classical music.

Today, I frequently tune into the Classical WETA radio station both in my car and at home.

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Being an office secretary has certainly broadened my horizons, offering me a wealth of experiences even in the musical arena!

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(Copyright © 2025 by Mia Z. Edwards. All rights reserved.)