Music to Soothe the Soul

My wife is a classical musician by training, so if I ever want to spend a night sleeping in the couch, I can say something the lines of, "Why in the world would anyone in their right mind study music? What a waste of time. Get a real job" or "Psshht. That guy wanting to become a pianist is just like my childhood dream of becoming a professional juggler, except it'd be much easier for a juggler to carry around his props" or "Yeah, professional musicians are great in spreading 'aesthetic beauty', but do a lousy job of paying the bills."

In truth, music is one of those rare things that transcends culture, language and time. What's uncanny about music is that the beauty of it doesn't discriminate by social status or wealth, by color or creed, or even by the character of the listener. Part of being human, it seems, is to appreciate the symphony of notes which are somehow put together into a melody which evokes a feeling in the soul much more profound that mere happiness. I was reminded of this when I read an article about an emerging hospice ministry in music, where chaplains visit the dying and comfort them through friendship and song.

The article cites the growing need for hospice care in our aging population, and how music therapy is an emerging field which is getting some attention. The story focuses on friendship between hospice chaplain A'Shellarien Anthony and dying patient Charles Black, two people who have little in common - Anthony is a middle-aged black female New Jersey native and Black is an 86-year old white male who grew up in Kentucky coal country - besides a very important common appreciation for music and in this case, hymns, which led to an even deeper relationship where they did Bible Study together. To me, the story is just another example of the power of music as a channel.

But I tend to think that music itself is neutral as a channel. It can certainly be used for all the above good purposes, but it can also be used to harm and destroy. Lyrics can be incendiary, hateful, misogynistic and destructive. Some music can be dissonant and cacophonous, producing the opposite effect of calming and soothing. The so-called "culture warriors" are right to care about music, because it's tremendously influential.

Music is interesting that way. It's a language which can convey emotion and history. It is a catalyst for remembrance and nostalgia. It has the power to bring energy and joy to an otherwise dreary day, and the article shows how it can bring comfort and healing to a man who is nearing the end of his life. If you're a science fiction nerd, you are also aware that Lynn Minmei's singing caused legions of war-crazed Zentraedi in Robotech to become pacifists. There is beauty and power in good music, and good music should be celebrated, supported and embraced. And like situations such as hospice care, perhaps there are broader applications to how music can be used redemptively which are still fertile soil.