When I was 15 I joined my high school honor choir for an official Glasnost tour of the Soviet Union. Singing with local choirs I quickly learned that music was how we connected and, while singing in Tallinn, an Estonian student wore a sweatshirt from Tower Records, who knows when she got it, that read, “Music, our Common Language.” Within a year, The Singing Revolution helped Estonia gain her independence. Amen.
Upon meeting students at UC San Diego, we quickly find commonalities and then explore our common experiences in order to develop connections. More often than not, music is what brings us together. We quickly find that music is a powerful means of connection that transcends language, culture, and time. Whether it's over sheet music, lead sheets, strumming guitars, or around turntables, songs evoke memories and have a unique ability to unite people. Its rhythms and melodies can create an instant bond between strangers, forging an unspoken understanding. In concerts and festivals, music brings people together from all walks of life, creating an environment where differences fade and shared experiences take center stage. It’s not just the lyrics that resonate, but the collective energy of those who gather to experience the sound together.
The emotional power of music also plays a role in connecting individuals on a deeper level. Certain songs can act as a form of emotional communication, allowing people to express feelings that might otherwise be difficult to articulate. A person going through heartbreak might find solace in a song that echoes their pain, while another might discover joy or hope in a tune that mirrors their own emotional journey. These moments create invisible threads that tie people to each other, even when they are miles apart. Music becomes a kind of universal language, one that speaks directly to the heart.
Beyond personal connections, music has long been a tool for social and political movements. Protest songs, anthems of change, and music written in response to societal injustices have sparked collective action and solidarity across generations. The melodies that have accompanied revolutions and civil rights struggles resonate far beyond the moment of their creation, continuing to inspire new movements and causes. Through these shared songs, communities can find strength in unity, using music as both a reflection of their struggles and a rallying cry for the future.
Making music together is necessary for us and I look forward to another Tuesday when we will.
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