Their own children had, of course, sparked up an interest in music, but then most kids show an early musical leaning pretty well from the time they take their first steps.
Put a song on and they dance.
Later they will sing along, and when they play with their toys they will more often than not hum and la-la-la with them.
Many pick up an instrument and I take my hat off to those parents who patiently agree to let their young one embark on learning to play the trumpet, the violin or the drums.
If only the pressured kids in distant lands of upheaval were handed a musical instrument instead of a gun ... what a world.
I went for a wander through central Napier yesterday and happily dodged the pushchairs inhabited by happy little faces and the carry-bag clutching shoppers, and was delighted to hear music. The sun was out and so were the buskers.
They had clearly done their measuring homework, as the distance between the three al fresco acts was pretty well equal.
A young guy was playing guitar, pretty well too, and further along two young ladies strummed and sang beautifully.
And lower down the street, another young guy was standing and delivering, with a violin.
He was 15 or 16 and was, let's say, adventurous and ambitious in his playing approach.
It clearly got the thumbs-up from those passing, as he had collected some paper rewards as well as the gold coin variety.
It was good to see the young musicians adding to the colour and festive air of the main street.
People stopped and listened, and smiled.
You gotta have music.
