I believe that music is underappreciated. Many people believe they know exactly what music is, but there is so much more to music than what meets the ear. To some, music may just be a bunch of songs, sounds or melodies that people can listen to, sing along to. Music is so much more than just background noise though. In an article called, "Music" from Grolier Online, music is described as an art, that communicates ideas, feelings or states of mind that has the purpose of influencing and stirring the listener. This description of music is one of the most important aspects, in my opinion. It has the power to make someone happy when listening to a happy tune, but can instantly make one sad when listening to a sad ballad. Music has been used widely in more everyday activities than most people stop to think about. It is used in military and athletic activities, education, dance, and is even a huge part of religion. In an article called "I Believe in Music," the author Sandra Wilder states, "music is a powerful vehicle for transferring emotion. It's scope of influence can be seen in a broad, public sense and shared with many people simultaneously. Or, it can convey the most private, intimate thoughts that only two people can share. One piece of music can mean the same thing to different people at the same time, or it can have different message to the same person at different times depending on what's going on in their life. When I look around my life and my world, I find countless examples of how music is familiar, but new; timeless, but ever changing; publics, but very private- all at the same time." (Put up quote on PowerPoint) I couldn't have found a better quote to exemplifying exactly how I feel about music. This woman, like me, has a strong passion for music, but sees its dual function in the world, on people, and this quote really captures the multiple powers of influence that music has over people all over the world, or just one person in general.
I believe that music has the power to save lives. One example of the power of music globally is the program El Sistema. El Sistema is a program that is dedicated to introducing music and instruments into the lives of undeserved or at-risk children. This program is centered in about 54 different countries. This shows that music has the power to be a distraction, or a relief from the struggles of daily life. It has the power to give children hope in order to find hapiness in an unfortunate situation. One of the most interesting studies I discovered while researching music one day was the use of music as therapy. Music is now being used in order to heal patients who are traumatized emotionally, mentally, and physically. Music can helpe premature babies drink formula more and also help babies to sleep. Music can help cancer patients, people suffering from chronic pain, and people who have suffered brain injuries. Music can even be used in order to work with autistic patients. Therefore, it is clear that music has many functions throughout life and it is important for people to realize all of the beneficial qualities of music in order to appreciate it more often. It is important not to take advantage of music and its importance in our daily lives, and start to recognize the benefits in order to use them to our advantages.
I also believe that music has transformed my entire life and also my entire being. I remember many times in my life where music was my only outlet for my feelings. When my parents got divorced, I listened to music in order to get through it, angry music, maybe, but it still helped me cope. When I went through a terrible breakup, you can't even begin to imagine how many sappy love songs I listened to in order to heal. There are times though when I was happy, like when starting a new and healthy relationship. Listening to romantic and happy, or just fun music is my way of expressing emotions in that respect. I also love to dance and without music I wouldn't be able to move around to anything! Music is a vital piece in my life. Ask my family, there isn't a moment that music isn't playing from my phone, from the time I wake up in the morning to the time I go to bed. I literally feel empty without it playing, crazy ik!, but so true. I tell my best friend almost everyday, "I wish I had a background track for every moment of my life, just like in the movies, it would make my life so much more interesting!" One day I hope to be able to work in the music industry in order to use my passion to spread that passion to others around the world for others and also let it be my daily job. I have so many future passions and dreams that I hope to pursue in the near future, but all of them express my creativity and are not just typical aspirations. I want adventure and excitement in my life and a perfect song that exemplifies this is from my all time favorite play and movie, Beauty in the Beast. This song is Belle the Reprise and in this song, Belle sings of wanting more just like me and it goes a little something like this:
(Sing Belle Reprise.)
Thank you.
Works Cited
"Music." Encyclopedia Americana. Grolier Online, 2014. Web. 10, Nov. 2014.
Juslin, Patrik N. and Va ̈stfja ̈ll, Daniel. Emotional responses to music: The need to consider underlying mechanisms. http://nemcog.smusic.nyu.edu/docs/JuslinBBSTargetArticle.pdf. 2014. Web. 10, Nov. 2014.
http://www.elsistemausa.org/el-sistema-around-the-world.htm(El Sistema Website, about tab)
 | El sistema [videorecording] : music to change life |
| | a production of EuroArts Music International in co-production with ARTE France, NHK and SF, SVT, YLE, ETV, TVP and Knowledge Network, Wilder, Sandra Call. "I believe in music." Student Research Center. EBSCOhost, 2014. Web,. 9 November, 2014. <http://web.b.ebscohost.com/src/detail?sid=745abdba-2429-4f97-99af-fc9c4da271cc%40sessionmgr110&vid=0&hid=109&bdata=JnNpdGU9c3JjLWxpdmU%3d#db=khh&AN=9605282159 |
