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What can Music Do?

What can Music Do?

In my class Music History II our professor asked our class at the beginning of the semester the questions of “what can music do?” To help the world and all of the horrible and awful things that happen, how can we offer a balm or what resources do we have as musicians to help. How can we use music in a vocational way. It has been the theme of our class. 

I have been thinking about it all semester and will probably keep thinking about it for the rest of my life. I have thought about how listening to music can provide a refuge for people, how teaching music to someone can help them have an emotional outlet or a source of joy. Music can be used for therapy. What struck me most is how music is used to make political statements. Nationalist composers would compose to make a statement for freedom. Germany and Italy they used music to fight for unification of the states. Even in America our pop songs can have a political message.

I am not sure how I will use music to help others or make a difference in the world. I cannot even guarantee that it will always be one way for my entire life. I know I want to use it to make a difference and help people. I know I want to educate people so I suspect my music will take on an educational direction.

While my professor asked this question specifically of music I think it can apply to other things. For me how can I as an activist make the wold a better place? How can I in any skill, or identity use that to make the world a better place and to help others?
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