Libretto for a Healthy Life

Submitted by: Duquesne University

by Amy Gilman, Colette Hall, Steve Blumenthal, &  Kelly Myers (mentor: David Cutler)

In response to The Savvy Musician Challenge #1 

Are Musicians Truly Important? Most people immediately agree that doctors, farmers, and teachers provide essential services to our communities.  But what about musicians?  Is our work vital?  What kind of important differences can we make?

In the beginning, Ludwig van Beethoven and Goethe exchanged letters from the lands of Vienna and Leipzig. By candlelight, two of the greatest minds of the time scribbled their innermost thoughts and questions on scrolls of parchment, and sent them to be delivered by horse-drawn carriages to the other, in hopes of eventually finding answers. It is believed that enclosed in these letters were secrets of the universe, of the people on earth, and of the ultimate reasons for existence. Few writings survive today, but one in particular features Beethoven’s most concise articulation of his ultimate belief: “When I open my eyes, I must sigh, for what I see is contrary to my religion, and I must despise a world which does not know that music is a higher revelation than all wisdom and philosophy.”

According to current models, to be classified as a religion requires a fundamental set of beliefs and practices generally agreed upon by a number of persons or sects. The realm of music and those who follow it obviously fit that mold by:

• Providing musicians and listeners with a sense of community,
• Uniting unlike individuals for the common cause of making and enjoying music,
• Practicing diligence and exercising determination/achieving goals,
• Living with purpose,
• Constantly recruiting and expanding the mission, and most importantly,
• Setting an example of model behavior.

An obligation of any religion is to embody the essence of the belief and to live life to serve that purpose. The reason people fulfill this obligation is to become something of value to the community, or to be important. The unconventional importance of musicians is often overlooked, but the truth has been public information since 1810:

Musicians embody the fundamental elements of general health and wellness.

The three fundamental elements, or “Holy Trinity” of musical health address coginitive, physical, and spiritual wellness. We musicians embody these three principles and serve as disciples, promoting better lives for all because of our cause. We are important because we help others by improving ourselves.

COGNITIVE MUSICIANS

Disciples of music can take many forms, but most musicians are constantly searching for ways to reach more people. In a cognitive sense, music therapy is a rapidly growing sect that has made leaps and bounds in the past century in terms of its ability to improve long-standing illness or provide an alternative form of communication for the disabled. According to the American Music Therapy Association, music therapists spend time with patients to assess their needs, and “through musical involvement in the therapeutic context, clients’ abilities are strengthened and transferred to other areas of their lives.”

In providing society with this service, musicians are able to establish communication with and improve the quality of life for those in need. These people and their loved ones appreciate the importance of musicians, and as a result, music therapists have fulfilled their purpose.

PHYSICAL MUSICIANS

In respect to physical wellness, musicians exemplify the highest degree of diligence when it comes to the art of preparing and performing, much like other leaders (Ghandi, Jesus, etc.) showed their commitment to practicing their beliefs for spectators. The requirements for musicians to play efficiently and execute technically challenging passages with ease include regular, organized practice regimens that focus on one or several aspects of the work.

An easy way to translate this idea is to imagine an athlete’s regular gym routine. He or she is likely to begin with some form of cardio activity to “warm up”, follow up with a lifting regimen that focuses on one isolated set of muscle groups, continue repetitions of these regimens until the goal number is completed, and finish with stretching.

Strikingly similar is the act of efficient practicing, from a warm up including scales and etudes, followed by target practice of specific passages, ending with stretching or reflecting on the work done during the session. Both of these methods accomplish the same goal for the musician: to improve gradually, and to solidify the exact shape and feel of the physical being during the actual execution. The end result isn’t simply to perform a piece that impresses the audience- it’s to hone the skills to communicate the way that you feel about the music, and to present the material in such a way that, for that moment, the audience shares your understanding. In doing so, music performers play an important role in preaching our mission.

SPIRITUAL MUSICIANS

Spiritual wellness has been an ongoing theme in this discussion, but it is important to note specifically that music provides performers and listeners with a spiritual experience in and of itself. Plato, in Timaeus,  explained the creation of the universe as including the two realms of what is eternal and what is becoming, together with a soul bound  by musical ratios. He also explains in his Republic that certain modes affect a person’s actual character, not just temporary mood. Schopenhauer believed that music was the highest form of art, bringing the performer closer to “The Will”, the ultimate power and truth of the universe. Those who compose music today adhere to these ideas, and write music for the sole reason of touching the lives of those who will listen.

Music has been associated with actual religious ceremonies and experiences since the beginning of time. Generally, the music of a church is one of its defining factors. The thought of a Southern Baptist church is incomplete without the gospel choir, just as the Roman Catholic Church services would seem uninspired and solemn if not accompanied by Gregorian chant. Music in church has been a way to solidify the structure of the gathering, to uphold tradition, and to pass music and accompanying narratives through generations of followers.

In the sect of classical music, many composers including J.S. Bach, Mendelssohn, and Bruckner worked extensively with churches to provide music to accompany and highlight the church service. Though the long-standing practice of incorporating music in church is indication of its importance in preserving tradition, the fact that it is an essential aspect of achieving the sublime state to communicate with the superior being proves its necessity. And while it is possible for people to live life without spiritual experiences, members of the musical community believe these moments directly relate to their overall feeling of wellness.

. . . . .

Today, musicians come in every color of the rainbow. Some focus on outreach, others transcend ideas through performance, and many write original works that deeply impact countless lives. At our best, we share in spirit the foundation of our beliefs and actions- that music is a higher revelation than any other. Our mission is to contribute something positive into the world, and to serve a greater purpose for ourselves and others.

Music is a tool to unify, educate, and challenge both performers and listeners. The end result is, in all cases, a community that believes in improving quality of life and the general wellness of individuals. In the ancient testaments of music, the most influential minds understood that musicians are not just important, but integral members of society.

Every God believes we are put on this earth to serve a purpose… are you savvy enough to find and fulfill yours?

The Duquesne University School of Music stresses career development in a variety of ways: courses like ‘Career Development’ and ‘Entrepreneurial Arts Project’ (offered in collaboration with the business school); a full service Music Career Services Center; ensembles built with an entrepreneurial structure; professional portfolios required upon graduation. 

2 Responses to “Libretto for a Healthy Life”

1. Julie Stroud says:

   April 9, 2010 at 12:30 pm

   Wow! Where did you get that fabulous quote: “Musicians embody the fundamental elements of general health and wellness.” So true, and as you pointed out, so overlooked, even ignored.

   The whole series, to this point, has raised just as many questions as it has answered. It is good stuff to think about!
2. Dawn Bennett says:

   April 19, 2010 at 11:11 pm

   It’s fabulous to see spiritual wellness discussed, as it is a topic we tend not to address overtly. At UWA our students are about to participate in our second Music and Wellbeing event with the local community, and we would love to hear about similar initiatives elsewhere.

   The challenges have indeed raised many questions, and in doing so have deepened both our understanding and our intrigue.