Every lyric may be just a simple note, but to many people, it can be much more. Music can be what you’re feeling, all the way to what your culture does or is. Music may lead to the release of dopamine, a neurotransmitter that makes you feel good. This has been found in many people. The fact that people feel different emotions throughout songs, instruments, and everything that can connect to music in some way could affect people’s moods and/or emotions, positively or negatively. Research has shown that music helps reduce stress and anxiety. Music connects us through our emotions, shared experiences, and cultural expressions. Music has a large impact on our social bonds; it can bring us together or divide us. Music can inspire change.
“In a lot of ways, it brings people together because we have one shared interest when we come from a lot of different things, there’s a lot of different genres, styles of music, cultures of music, and that brings a lot of people together,” said Ms. Julia Lawrence, band teacher.
Music and culture go hand in hand. Some traditions, like Native American Powwows, have ceremonies with music to celebrate something important, like culture. Music has the power to unite and divide our cultures. It allows us to express our cultures in unique ways.
“It’s now a combination of different styles, different instruments, different types of voices now, we have rock and jazz,” said Ms. Jen Newman, music and choir teacher, “Many people do improvisation in jazz, and I think that reaches a whole other realm of people because of the improvisation factor, ultimately the sky’s the limit now.”
Music preserves our heritage and strengthens our communities. It is essential to cultural development and overall growth. Music follows behind each and every breath we take. It inspires us to be motivated and do better. Before playing a sport, music can help you push yourself farther than you may have before giving you more motivation.
“It pumps me up and energizes me,” Bailey Johnston (6), Lil Bulldog Cheerleader, said.
Sometimes music can help a sports team get ready for their practice.
“I noticed some teams play music for their warm–ups,” Ms. Tina Boyd, scorekeeper, said.
If you pay attention well enough, you can notice things people miss throughout the development of music and the culture weaved into it.
