Missouri Classical Music News

By the time we're older, say, retirement age, we don't usually think about learning to play an instrument, read music or learning how to sing. Most of us figure we fit into that old saying about old dogs and new tricks.

But the perception isn't reality, and thankfully so, says Marian Bowman of Springfield. Bowman, 59, retired from the Postal Service in 2002.

Looking for some worthwhile endeavors to occupy her time, she turned to music after seeing an ad for a group called Lowery Is Fun and Easy, or L.I.F.E. It's a national group sponsored by the Lowery Organ Company, based in Chicago, to try to get seniors involved in playing music (preferably on Lowery instruments, of course).

"I'd always had a desire to play some kind of instrument," Bowman says. "I thought, 'All right, I'll give it a try.'"

The L.I.F.E. ad claimed anyone, even newbies, would be able to learn 10 songs in 10 weeks. Bowman was doubtful going in, but says that's exactly what happened.

"I love it," she says. "I absolutely love it. I go more than 100 percent on this."

Bowman is one of about 30 members of the local L.I.F.E. group. . . .