The Importance of Music in Our Society

By: Althea Ocomen

Art and music are basic human tools that we need in our daily lives. Humankind and art cannot function without one another. We have the burning desire to create, whatever it may be; tiny or grand, it is our human instinct. People have always found music to be significant in their lives, whether for enjoyment in listening, emotional response, performing, or creating. This is no different between classical music and contemporary concert music. Both kinds of music have immense worth in our society; however, one pressing problem that remains in the field of music is that classical music is commonly lesser-known and hence underappreciated by our current generation.

It goes without saying that in mainstream American culture, classical or concert music is not a huge part of people's lives. There are still stigmas that contribute to this, as well as the actions of the government in the last two decades (reducing music education in schools on the local level, resistance to increased NEA (National Education Association) funding, and less visibility of the arts on the national level; let us hope that the Biden-Harris administration can start to reverse these trends). Many people still believe that classical music is for wealthy, older, and well-educated individuals only. Others may feel awkward about going to classical music events because they feel as if they need to act and dress in a certain way to enter the concert or recital hall in order to prevent sharp glares.

Even more so, the image of pretentiousness and elitism that some artists exhibit is amplified by many television shows, commercials, plays, books, by people of influence and even themselves. This all distances musicians from mainstream society due to the social barriers between them. While some of this is true, as, with nearly any stereotype, it is not completely accurate. With the impression that concert music has on society, the majority decides that it is not "for them" simply because they believe it has no relevance or value to their lives, which results in the gradual extinction of its worth. This is further compounded by the past governments’ lack of interest in promoting and supporting the arts, whether it is to fund arts competitions or arts education.

One of the great things about music in general, and in particular concert music, is that playing it opens up a whole new world of experience that further enhances the mind, physical coordination, and expression of individuals while maintaining their regular lives. Music lovers who are also amateur performers may choose to play in community ensembles (orchestra, band, choir), take lessons, perform with others, compose, and do nearly anything else a professional musician may do. All of this involves intense physical and mental coordination in performing an instrument alone or with others while reading musical notation and adding delicate or strong nuanced changes to the music that only a performer can bring, which can be exhausting at some times. In general, to an amateur musician, music can provide an escape from everyday life or an alternative means of expressing one's own emotions and aspirations. It is an important part of their life and fulfils a need or an urge to create music for self-enjoyment.

In all levels of education, music has immense worth. Students learn many important and necessary values for life because music enhances and cultivates their mind, spirit, expressive ability, and a whole host of other qualities. Learning to read music is learning a different language with abstract meaning. One not only has to comprehend and decipher unique symbols on a page, but they also have to know how to execute them and execute them well as they perform. Those learning music also learn how to develop a critical ear. With a critical ear, one will know how to practice, rehearse, analyze, and critique music performance. One can also learn tremendously from studying and analyzing music, composing, reading about music, understanding the history of music and its association with historical and current trends, and knowing what to listen for in music. As we reflect on our daily lifestyle, we realize the enormous impact music has created in our lives.

Works Cited:

The Importance of Music in Our Society. (n.d.). Retrieved from https://www.gilbertgalindo.com/importanceofmusic

Mitch de Klein. (2016, August 09). 8 reasons why music is important to us. Retrieved November 12, 2020, from https://www.mitchdeklein.com/blog/201688-reasons-why-music-is-important-to-us

Catherine, Soumya, Soni, D., & Dooley, J. (2017, August 24). What Role Does Music Play in Our Life? " The Creative Music Blog. Retrieved November 12, 2020, from https://blog.procollabs.com/role-music-plays-life/

Cotton, J. (2018, April 21). The Importance of Music -. Retrieved November 12, 2020, from https://www.theschooloflife.com/thebookoflife/the-importance-of-music/