One of the many things that have truly brought wonder and awe into my life is music. Sometimes I listen to my library of songs for hours in one sitting, never hearing the ticking of the clock and allowing time to pass by. I do not know how to play any instrument myself (unless you count the song “Hot Cross Buns” played on a recorder) and, even though I have two years of Zero-Hour Chorus experience, I can barely read sheet music, lacking both the ability to read notes and sing them properly. Even though I cannot make music myself, I still find nearly unparalleled joy in listening to it.
Music invokes wonder and awe in me in several ways. First, I find it amazing that a single instrument, be it a flute, guitar, zither, or the human voice, can produce an infinite range of sound. For all the limitations that an instrument might have, like it’s number of strings or ramshackle construction, or that the performer of the instrument might have, like weak lungs or blindness, an instrument is still capable of making beautiful melodies. No two performances of the same piece of music can sound exactly the same. A particular song that I think best exemplifies this idea of a single instrument creating a unique and original sound is Bouree by Jethro Tull. The use of the flute in this sound is unmatched in all the music that I have heard. This Youtube video of Greg Patillo is also a great example of originality of music because he utilizes his talents with the flute and incorporates amazing beat boxing as well.
Greg Patillo
Second, I find it fascinating how religion and music are so intertwined with each other. In ancient rituals like those of the Greeks and Africans, music played a key part in worship. In some cases, music is created to help aid worship, like the Gregorian Chants. Some modern day examples of how music brought worship to a new level would be:
Christian Singer/songwriter Rich Mullins-writer of such songs as Awesome God and Screen Door and admirable example of a Christian
Jewish rapper Matisyahu-writes song based on Judiasm, its laws, and its beliefs;great example of mixing music and religion while maintaining the integriy of both
These three examples really inspire me in my own worship. Listening to Rich Mullins’ calm, well-composed songs help me get my mind in the proper state for prayer. Matisyahu expresses his beliefs, which differ in very few ways from my own, in very well-written and well-performed songs. The songs from Jesus Christ Superstar, with its’ well-written and well-sung lyrics, inspire me to sing along and think about the words and their messages being sung.
Third, it fascinates me that I can always find a type of music for whatever situation I am in and how a type of music can remind me of a situation long ago. When my Grandma Wissler died almost 10 years ago, my uncle chose the song “I’m Your Angel” By Celine Dion and R. Kelly. Every single time I hear that song I remember the exact day that I went to my grandma’s funeral, even though at the time I was only 6 years old. Ever since hat day, my family has kept a framed copy of the lyrics to that song on display in our living room because that one song has meant so much to us. Just like hearing that song can remind me of my grandmother, some songs can remind me of a certain mood and can even change my mood. When I want to get excited or pumped up, I listen to rock by Rush or Linkin Park or rap by Eminem or Ludacris.