A2 Key Reading Part 3

A Family of Musicians

The Carter family has music in their blood. For generations, they have been passionate about playing and composing music. These days, Sarah Carter teaches piano at a local music school, but for many years, she was a concert pianist, performing in famous concert halls around the world. Her father, Michael, was a violinist with the National Symphony Orchestra for over three decades.

Sarah’s son, Ethan, started playing the violin when he was just four years old. “I never had to push him to practice,” says Sarah. “He always loved music.” Now aged eighteen, Ethan is a talented violinist and has already performed with the same orchestra where his grandfather was a star performer.

Sarah’s husband, David, is a sound engineer. They met while he was working at a recording studio where she was recording her first album. “When Ethan started playing the violin, our apartment was too small for him to practice without disturbing the neighbors,” David explains. “So, I converted the basement into a soundproof music room. Now, everyone is happy!”

Last month, Ethan was invited to perform as a soloist in a special concert featuring Beethoven’s Violin Concerto. Of course, Sarah and Michael were in the audience, and even David was there, which made the event unforgettable for Ethan. “I’m not a musician myself,” says David, “but seeing Ethan perform on such a big stage was incredible. He even played his grandfather’s old violin!”

“It was a magical evening,” says Michael. “Ethan’s playing reminds me so much of my younger days. I’m not just saying this because I’m his grandfather—I truly believe he has a bright future ahead of him.”