To the Editor:

The National Federation of Music Clubs has set aside May 1-8 as “National Music Week.” This year its theme is “Music…is Inspiration.” We would like to share our thoughts on this theme.

What would life be without music? Imagine driving to work or school in silence. Imagine hearing only dialogue rather than harmonious accompaniment in movies. Music brings life and joy to these events, and music makes life exciting. Music allows composers, performers, and writers to convey a story in a language that everyone understands – song. Music inspires and awakens the inner artist within us all, and it makes us feel, imagine, and be present in the moment. We think music offers a transcendent experience to listeners and performers; one can remember their first rehearsal with their favorite conductor, seeing their favorite artist live, or performing in their first public concert.

Music evokes emotion from its listeners and performers. We find great joy and satisfaction when the music we hear connects with our feelings and emotions. It is as if the combination of the sounds and the lyrics offer a promise that someone else is there for you. Music inspires us to live a more meaningful life and not take time for granted; songwriters tend to set lyrics to music that exemplify human life. As a result, lyrics tend to strengthen the emotive qualities of music and give us an overwhelming sense of feeling. As famed philosopher Plato said, “Music gives a soul to the universe, wings to the mind, flight to the imagination and life to everything.” Simply put, music makes the good times better and the hard times easier.

Without music, life would certainly not be as amazing as it is.

Jaime O’Neill and Sylvia Kattner
SDSU Music Education Students
Huron