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The Song of Annie Moses: A Musical Quest, a Mother's Gift

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The Song of Annie Moses is the story of speaker, songwriter, and mother, Robin Donica Wolaver. It recounts how one mother, born in mountain poverty and seclusion, developed her musical heritage, and then led her children, through hard work and spiritual development, to The Juilliard School and ultimately to the founding of the Annie Moses Band—igniting a fire of purpose and spiritual excellence within them.

250 pages, Paperback

First published September 1, 2013

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5 stars
23 (40%)
4 stars
24 (42%)
3 stars
7 (12%)
2 stars
2 (3%)
1 star
1 (1%)
Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews
18 reviews6 followers
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October 3, 2013
The Song of Annie Moses is a book every christian should read. Robin's story of her musical journey of faith and family has inspired me more than any book I have ever read. It's a story of how one mother who was born into poverty and limited opportunities was determined to live a life of faith and embrace the musical legacy given to her and offered that gift to her children. Robin and Bill Wolaver are parents who were determined to raise 6 children to be world class musicians. While reading their story, God reminded me of the necessity to do everything in my life with excellence (Colossians 3:23-24). I think I'm a new me ! Robin's love for God oozes on every page. She is filled with wisdom that surpasses that of any woman I have encountered. Her story made me reflect on my life as a mother. I normally don't like to think about regrets, but I wished I had a woman like Robin to mentor me as a young christian mother. Deuteronomy 6:4-9 " Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God , the LORD is one. You shall love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your might. And these words that I command you today shall be on your heart. You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, and when you walk by the way, and when you lie down, and when you rise. You shall bind them as a sign on your hand, and they shall be as frontlets between your eyes. You shall write them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates. " So in other words, I should have been obsessed with teaching my children about God and to teach them to love Him and love others.
Here is an excerpt from the book page 220 " Four generations of godly legacy had taken us from the cotton patch to the concert hall. It is a big climb up the ladder by the world's standards, but God is no respecter of persons, and He is not impressed with spotlights. He is searching the inner chambers of our hears, looking for humility and faithfulness, everlasting values that He can mine like gold and credit to the account of children yet unborn. Such is the economy of His Kingdom. I have heard it said that God will measure our lives by what we have done with what we have been given. If so, Annie Moses is rich. In her short life, she laid a foundation of inexhaustible love, a rock so steady that every subsequent generation has built upon its strength. It is my passion to sing the song of her legacy; a song of faith and family, of love and loyalty, of investing in the future by nurturing the promise inherent in a child."
Profile Image for Leanna Manuel.
Author 3 books13 followers
December 24, 2013
I loved this book. I already was in love with the Annie Moses Band, having attended one of their concerts in Ohio. I knew a little of their story before, but this account made me fall in love with them all over again. The writing is captivating, the story compelling, and the wisdom is priceless. I believe this book deserves a spot on the top shelf of all parenting books.
Profile Image for Emily Kidd.
380 reviews
December 22, 2019
The Song of Annie Moses:
a book about my favorite band that plays beautifully blended classical-jazz-folklorist songs, reimagining the old and writing the new. 🤩

This is a generational rags-to-riches tale that doesn’t focus on “look what I did” but honors their family’s history in order to mindfully carry on their legacy. They don’t act like they’ve “arrived,” rather they appreciate where they’ve come from and how that has shaped who they are.

I admire this group of people on so many levels, and this writing did not disappoint.

If you don’t know the @anniemosesband check them out!

(This book also includes a parental how-to guide in the back of the book for raising your child(ren) musically, how to find the right teacher for their talents, etc.)

#booklovers #musiclovers #artasaspiritualdiscipline #childprodigy #julliardschoolofmusic #biography #familyhistory
Profile Image for Linda C.
2,501 reviews4 followers
July 1, 2020
Robin Donica Wolaver tells the story of her musical legacy from her grandmother Annie Moses and her mother, Jane Donica, that led to her own musical study, marriage to a fellow musician and birth of her 6 children who eventually become the Annie Moses Band. These people have a strong religious essence that guides everything they do. Their Christianity, music and education are all tied together. Robin had a strong musical pull that hit a snag in her college years dealing with school politics causing her to take 7 years to get her degree. But her strong commitment to family and music made her a the perfect support for children's musical endeavors. Very interesting.
5 reviews
May 3, 2024
This book was a major disappointment. If you want to read about a woman's personal ambition and obsession lived out through her kids, read it. But be prepared to wade through purple prose, incredible narcissism, and a penchant to see every coincidence as an act of God justifying her every action to make her kids famous.
Profile Image for Marissa Rapone.
135 reviews22 followers
October 9, 2018
A family rich with musical talent, and a mother's determination to raise them faithfully while nurturing each of their passions and talents. There's inspiration in here for all mothers, and just a great family memoir to read with encouragement and awe.
Profile Image for Becky.
9 reviews1 follower
December 5, 2020
Fabulous inspiration

Thank you, Robin, for sharing the story behind the Annie Moses Band. Your heritage, vision, faith, and love have served to affect so many. I believe that every parent should read this book.
Profile Image for Ann.
387 reviews26 followers
May 1, 2014
I picked up this book at the library on a whim ... the title caught my eye. I'm glad I did because it introduced me to an incredibly talented music group whose music is so excellent, moving, artistic ... and the group is made up of a family of six siblings whose mother, grandmother, and great grandmother's story of faith and love for music eventually brought into being this wonderfully talented group of musicians.
It's a story of faith and perseverance and persistence and incredible drive and hard work. The family had its beginnings in the Texas cotton fields and with each new generation got closer to the dream of studying music with some of the best musicians in the music world ... ending their studies at the Juliard School of Music in New York City.
Although the author does tend to deviate occasionally from telling the story and launches into preaching what came across to me as a formula for being a perfect parent and producing perfect children. (something that I think only those who seem to have never had a child with even a small streak of rebellion can preach) ... it is without a doubt an inspirational story! !
Profile Image for Leslie.
113 reviews3 followers
November 3, 2015
To be totally honest I found this book a little hard to follow in the beginning....who was who and who was the writer actually talking about....however once I got into the grove of the writing I loved it!!! I loved the fact that the family stood up for what they believed in and taught their children as they saw fit. These parents really had a strong belief system and taught it to their children through teaching and actions!!!!

The only reason I didn't give this book a 5 star is that I found it a little hard to follow at times and the ending seemed to be a chapter telling the rest of the life of the family history that hadn't been covered.....it seemed too rushed. In my opinion the previous chapters should have been shortened to include this family history or the book lengthen. But then this is my opinion :-)
Profile Image for Carolyn Mattox.
1 review
August 29, 2016
Captivating book...

I love this book. I related to many of Robin's life experiences in education and family life. I have attended their concerts and was fascinated to learn more about these amazing musicians. This story is Inspiring. I recommend it to all moms with even a little interest in music. Those who are older like me will enjoy the look at our generation's good old days , told with great humor and an obvious gift for great writing .
Profile Image for David Stoll.
21 reviews
March 22, 2014
As a musician, believer in Jesus Christ , and a parent of young, aspiring musicians, this book was an encouragement to continue providing excellent instructional opportunities for my children.
Profile Image for Debbie.
49 reviews2 followers
October 26, 2015
A wonderful testimony to Jesus Christ and family.
Profile Image for Melonie Martin.
2 reviews2 followers
December 9, 2013
Loved this book! It's a must read for all music students parents, and teachers!
Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews

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