One can learn many things about other people's perspectives on music through open dialogue and discussions. After interviewing three very different kinds of people, I have learned much about the effects that music has on people. One thing I have realized is that no matter who you are, or what you have done in your lives, music seems to have the same charm on everyone. After hearing so many stories on how music has affected their lives, I have seen that music has a powerful way of bringing people together, raising them up and showing them that they have a place to be themselves and a place to learn and grow to show them the best person they can be.
My first interview was with my Residence Assistance, Leigh-Anne, who is in the sciences. One might think that someone who’s life was filled with science and sports would not have time to go and learn an instrument, but somehow she did. It is hard to say what life would have been if she hadn’t taken music, because music showed her a different life, filled with community. Throughout school, Leigh-Anne did not take private lessons, but picked up the baritone during school. She was a part of a community band as well as her school band, and learned a lot from these experience. She has expressed that music was like a family to her, she gained so much from it. Music was not just something where she went to make music, it was a place she could express herself and be heard. She believes that music has special way to bring people together, because of how it all fits together, and it is something that you can apply to something such as a leadership role because it doesn’t what part your playing, because your part is important to the image as a whole. This meant that you are not just playing your best for yourself, but for your band as a collective whole. Leigh-Anne is always so surprised by how music bring people closer together no matter how much knowledge one has on it. Music creates a nice atmosphere for so many people, allowing them to express themselves.
My second interview was with my mother, who was an Art Major, and currently works as a project manager at Vitran Express. Music has always been a part of my mother’s life. Music first entered her life when her aunt bought her daughter a piano but wasn’t very into it. So my grandmother gave my mother the opportunity learn the piano and her life was changed forever. She took piano lessons until grade 8 which is the Hong Kong equivalent to grade 10 here. Music continued to be a part of my mothers life even until I was born, where she’d played the piano for me as an infant to hopefully encourage me to go into music. Music continues to grow in my mother’s life and as both as a passion and experience.
My last interview was with a girl in Health Science at Western University, Julia. Growing up, she was in many musical activities such as choirs, piano lessons, and the band. When she was in middle school she picked up the flute, and continued playing it until grade 8. When High school arrived, she picked up the saxophone, but could no longer play in a class. Fortunately her passion for music continued in extracurricular bands and groups. Music has a special place in heart because not only did it bring people closer to her but it also brought her closer to her brother. The age distance between them is 3 and a half years, so her brother had troubles connecting with her. It wasn’t until Julia began finding some passion in music did the two siblings connect.
Music has a special way of bringing people together whether we realize it or not. People from all over, no matter where they are from, what they have done, and what they will do, each and everyone one of them speaks the same language, music. Music brings out the best in people and teaches them to love each other and trust each other. It shows people that their voices matter, that no matter what they do, it effects everyone around them. All of the people that I have interview have all gained something special from their time with music. Although making music is not a part of their lives now, they have all come out differently because of it. Music has a beautiful way of bringing people together, and teaching that they are not alone, giving them new skills that they can use later in life.
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