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Three Things Music Does Well

This weekend I went to a Toto concert. For those of you who cared about music in 1982, you will probably remember the band sweeping the Grammy awards that year, wining seven including best album, best song, and best artist among others.

For those of you who don’t – and who don’t even know who Toto is – probably all I have to do is say the song title ‘Africa,’ and you’ll be going. “Oh yeah, I know that song. Is that those guys?” I had the good fortune to attend high school with four of the members of the band, even having the privilege of making music with each of them on occasion. Witnessing their virtuosity up close and personal was inspiring to me as a young musician. Also inspiring, was their commitment to their craft. They were always playing music and always working to get better.

Three things strike me about the power of music as I reflect on the evening. First, great music knows no generational boundary lines. My son and his girlfriend went with me to the concert. Henry, 22, loves this band even though their first album came out 16 years before he was born. But he enjoyed the concert every bit as much as I did. As I looked around the Ryman Auditorium I was struck by the disparity of the crowd – both in age and in dress. Many of the people who were sharing in this event seemed to me people that would have little in common outside of this venue.

Music brings people together and breaks down barriers.

The second thing that struck me was the absolute sense of celebration in the room.

People were experiencing pure joy. Happiness for happiness sake; the kind of joy that makes otherwise reserved people scream, jump up, pound their hands together, and sing along at the top of their lungs. It was a genuine outpouring of goodwill.

Music delights us and moves us to express that delight.

The final thing that I took away from the event was music’s power in our memory. As the band played songs from the past thirty-eight years it was clear that these songs were part of the soundtrack of their lives for many in the audience. Cheers of recognition sprung up as the group reached back in time to play hits that strummed the chords of treasured memories. The lady next to me said before the concert, “I hope they play ‘I Won’t Hold You Back Now.’ When I was in school, all of the girls swooned over that one. I just love that song.”

Later, when the band launched into her favorite, I turned and said with a smile, “There you go.” As the song progressed she laid her head on her husband’s shoulder, the sweetness of nostalgia written all over her face.

Music remembers and helps us to remember as well.

Of course, the evening was full of memories, joy, and togetherness for me too. Memories, not only from the songs themselves, but also from long ago musical experiences in high school. Joy, from seeing the pleasure that my old friends had in playing the music and also from the exuberance and gladness it generated in the crowd. And – because music has always been a bond for us – the togetherness of experiencing it all with my son.

Take someone you love to see a music artist you enjoy in concert.

I know at least three good things that are going to happen.

_____

Steve Siler – Music for the Soul

 

Originally posted 8/22/16

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