Wrap It Up!

I have had so much fun this term learning about all the different people around the world, and the kinds of music that are a part of their cultures.

Something that I found surprising and relatively humbling was the earning per year differences between countries around the world. When Dr. Weeks showed us those differences, I felt my heart drop into my stomach. Even just envisioning that is something that is close to impossible for someone like myself – a privileged woman in college in the United States. It really puts life into perspective, and whenever I think about it, I realize that my stressors aren’t really all that important in the scheme of things. I want to use my career as a musician to help others, thereby (hopefully) bettering the world, at least in some small way. I want to keep others’ situations in perspective and always be kind, humble, and grateful. This class has really reinforced to me that this type of growth, along with respect for other cultures and people, is invaluable.

Something really interesting that I found out about my own personal music culture (having been raised partially on jazz) is that there are so many different types of jazz around the world, and many elements of that style which are used in other genres! It’s incredible to me that there can be so many sub-genres, and they just keep branching off and becoming more and more. It’s also nice to think about how different music genres can have so many of the same elements at the core.

This course really inspired me to learn more about traditional Arabic instruments as well as drums and bass, and inspired me to learn more about the Fulbright scholars program. About the instruments – I only really play one instrument (piano) and sing. Drums and bass are two very adaptable instruments to different styles in so many cultures, so I think they would be very useful to know how to play. I also want to go searching for a Qanun and learn over the course of my life how to play it. I think it’s a beautiful instrument, and I’d love to learn more about how it functions on a deep and interactive level. Concerning the Fulbright scholars program – again, I want to help people through music. It’s good for the soul, it’s good for the world. If I can formulate a project over the next year or so and figure out how to put that plan into action in a foreign country, I believe that would be an absolutely invaluable experience. Having seen firsthand and through others what goes on in the world, both good and bad, I believe that experiencing others’ cultures and bringing some of mine to them – no judgement, no superiority complex, no expectations – could allow me to be a part of something really, truly good.

Thank you, Dr. Vaneman, for your constantly positive and open spirit during this term – you’ve really made the class unforgettable!