If I hadn’t started singing in church I probably wouldn’t be singing or enjoying music today. Like many people, my musical heritage is directly linked to my religious heritage. Through this lens, I have learned much about myself and the world around me.
After studying both music and religion formally, I have realized that there are some things I really enjoy about structure in these subject areas. I’ve learned about structure in music from basic piano lessons with my mother in first grade to All-State Chorus in school to this very class. Structure in my religious experience comes from Sunday School classes at a young age to a very tight-knit church youth group to my regular church experience today. Many people dedicate their lives to learning about music made by people of the past and creating their own music that fits into this structure. These religious texts we read and rituals we perform today are deeply rooted in a tradition passed on over a period of many years. For music, there are history, theory, performance, and repertoire classes which teach us all of the corners and possibilities for studying and experiencing this vast art form. We are given musical examples, standards, expectations, and the tools to reach them through these institutions. There are religious leaders and resources that provide examples, text clarifications, and practices that help us achieve certain personal and social goals.
All of this structure can bring so much good to each of these worlds. However, it can also limit the possibilities that are within one’s view. Have you ever noticed that the majority of people don’t stray too far from the belief system of their parents? Many people’s beliefs ebb and flow through different periods of their lives, but the drastic changes are less common. For instance, you don’t often see a young Presbyterian Christian deciding to fully commit to Islam. Also, you don’t as often see a person raised with classical Sitar music joining a gospel choir. We have a structure. From that center, we can explore, but only rarely do we completely disconnect from that original focal point.
With that said, I think that media and globalization influences have greatly contributed to people becoming increasingly more comfortable exploring outside of these structural boxes. I think that exploring the bounds of my world through my musical experience at Converse and asking my own questions about the religious rituals with which I was raised have helped me to grow and learn some of the most beautiful things about the world and myself.
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This blog reminds me of my Cultural Collisions class that I took last fall. Yes, once one learns a culture-structure, such as that of music or religion, it can be difficult to adjust to and accept another culture. Once we get used to thinking in the ways our culture thinks, re-enculturation is a process of learning new values, belief systems, and thought-labeling. However, the exploration of other cultures can valuably enhance our understanding of our own culture and of the world, as you say. Thanks for a thought-provoking blog.
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