For as long as I can remember music has been a part of my life. My family, especially my mom, instilled a sense of the importance of music in me. In my childhood and adolescent years, music was vital in my life whether it was singing and dancing around the house, being a “band geek” throughout high school, or participating in countywide singing and band competitions. In high school, I took this fancy in-person aptitude test and not to my surprise my highest score was music, at a 99. I’ve always known that music should and would be a part of my life but in what way?
There is something magical about music that is hard to explain in words for me. For 2 or 5 minutes, I can escape into something new, exciting and emotional. When I discover a new artist or song, I get consumed with it. I can spend hours researching the artist, listening to their music, and figuring out when they will be on tour again. Just this past week I was lying in bed, just casually listening to music while trying to fall asleep when I discovered a new artist and couldn’t put my phone down. I was wide awake, listening to the whole hour-long album. I wonder, how many other people have done the same thing?
Listening to music is definitely a coping mechanism for me as well. Before taking tests I have about five songs that I listen to calm myself (one rightfully titled "Calm My Soul"). Even as I type this I am listening to an Irish artist Dermot Kennedy, trying to escape from some current stresses in my life.
It amazes me how music can connect people in different ways. Music can generate a variety of emotions, moods, and experiences. I recently thought it would be a cool project to walk around NC State’s campus and go up to people and ask what are you listening to? Why? What makes you compelled to listen to that artist/song? What emotion does it inflect in you? It would be so interesting to see people’s responses.
How artists write music is also fascinating to me. I’ll often google to see if the artist ever released what was the inspiration for a particular song. Usually, the internet comes up shorthanded but that often adds to the beauty and curiosity of it. I don’t see my love and curiosity for music discovery stopping anytime soon and I’m excited to see what journeys it takes me on in the future.
Rebecca Smith, North Carolina
Student
There is something magical about music that is hard to explain in words for me. For 2 or 5 minutes, I can escape into something new, exciting and emotional. When I discover a new artist or song, I get consumed with it. I can spend hours researching the artist, listening to their music, and figuring out when they will be on tour again. Just this past week I was lying in bed, just casually listening to music while trying to fall asleep when I discovered a new artist and couldn’t put my phone down. I was wide awake, listening to the whole hour-long album. I wonder, how many other people have done the same thing?
Listening to music is definitely a coping mechanism for me as well. Before taking tests I have about five songs that I listen to calm myself (one rightfully titled "Calm My Soul"). Even as I type this I am listening to an Irish artist Dermot Kennedy, trying to escape from some current stresses in my life.
It amazes me how music can connect people in different ways. Music can generate a variety of emotions, moods, and experiences. I recently thought it would be a cool project to walk around NC State’s campus and go up to people and ask what are you listening to? Why? What makes you compelled to listen to that artist/song? What emotion does it inflect in you? It would be so interesting to see people’s responses.
How artists write music is also fascinating to me. I’ll often google to see if the artist ever released what was the inspiration for a particular song. Usually, the internet comes up shorthanded but that often adds to the beauty and curiosity of it. I don’t see my love and curiosity for music discovery stopping anytime soon and I’m excited to see what journeys it takes me on in the future.
Rebecca Smith, North Carolina
Student