World Music Day is the perfect occasion to pay tribute to an art that unites people
World Music Day is the perfect occasion to pay tribute to an art that unites people
What has music meant to us over the past two years? With the pandemic spreading to the outside world with months spent inside our homes, most of us turned to music more than ever. Many of us were confused, and overwhelmed with fear and the virus. Music became the only companion in this situation. Music concerts moved online, as did we. In many countries around the world (especially in South America and Western Europe) – citizens began to perform on their terraces and balconies, often attended by raucous and often joyful neighbors. Aside from walls and protocol, music was the only means of communicating and celebrating the act of living.
With the summer solstice approaching, we are preparing to celebrate June 21 as World Music Day. Having been associated for the past two years, almost every musician – professional and amateur – wants to take their music to the streets. And this is indeed the case in many countries.
For example, Brazil and the Philippines have opened public parks, recreation areas and common walkways for performing musicians. In France, the originator of the concept (in fact, France officially started the tradition in 1982), one can apply on the government-backed Fete De La Musique portal, order posters, and choose a venue for their performances. and can carry his art. Whether the public is amateur or professional. The longest day of the year is celebrated with music every hour, hour by hour.
Traveling in England a few years ago, I was delighted to find pianos in public places, including the airport concourse. ‘Play Me, I’m Your’, a public installation project initiated by artist Luke Jerram, has seen over 20 million people play these public pianos in more than 70 cities around the world. The impact it tried to create – providing immediate medical attention and a sense of community did a fantastic job. On June 21, many of these will be in continuous use in many cities around the world.
support artists
More recently, I was exposed to the ‘Yak Songs’ of Bhutan (thanks Lunana, an original and award-nominated film). It is heartening to know that the happiest country in the world pays its tribute every year on World Music Day, supporting both its professional and traditional performing artists. All these examples underscore the basic purpose of music. As the most easily accessible art form, the sense of community that music can bring immediately is the need of the hour. The pandemic has only exacerbated this need.
Several parents were writing to me to ask how their kids should celebrate World Music Day, given these standard instructions. But I don’t see why these shouldn’t apply to adults.
First, get into the habit of listening to a new piece of music every day until the next week. Be bold and experiment with new styles and artists. The discovery process is amazing. Better still, it would make sense to journal your comments.
Second, sing or play any instrument on that day. Even badly, use this opportunity to bring family and friends together. Music heals like no one else can. Finally, support local artists and bands. Find and attend a local concert. Live music is still the most alive and powerfully transformative experience. Developing the habit of attending live concerts is something that a person develops quickly.
World Music Day serves to remind us that in a world that is too complex and too complex to keep track of, music helps people stay grounded.
The author is a well-known musician, educator and Associate Professor at Kriya University.