musical connections

(This post is written by Ignite Institute student--Mollie Hopper.)

Sometimes I wonder if I'm the only one who thinks of a song in a specific way. When I hear a song, I immediately try to look for what it makes me feel. Does it remind me of a certain topic? Is there a mood that matches it?

Finding your meaning behind a song can make it so much more enjoyable.  There is always an intended message behind a song, but it can be perceived in many different ways. The key to really enjoying a song is how you perceive this message. Look behind the lyrics and the music notes and into the soul of a song. Victor Hugo grasped the same idea when he said, "Music expresses that which cannot be said and on which it is impossible to be silent."
 
Everyone wishes they knew how to express their feelings in a way other than talking, right? Music is perfect for helping people express what is going on in their lives. Whether someone is putting together a new song or just listening to one, there will always be a message that connects with personal experiences or hardships. My challenge to everyone who reads this blog post is to find one song each week that connects with how you are feeling. This can help to make sense of emotions that we often have trouble understanding.
 
Music also shows that people are not alone in their problems. According to the article, How Music Bonds Us Together, There is something about music that seems to bring us closer to each other and help us come together as a community.  We realize that there must be other people that feel the same way I feel, or why would the music connect to me so deeply. 
 
It seems that there are many purposes for music (mental stimulation, emotional release, and social connection) other than just sounding nice.
 
Mollie Hopper, Guest Blogger
High School Sophomore, Ignite Institute
 
References:
 https://greatergood.berkeley.edu/article/item/how_music_bonds_us_together