Music is the backbone of my world. I suppose that’s pretty clear when I work on this biweekly column expressing my thoughts on the latest releases throughout the industry, big and small. Yet, I am not alone in my perceptions of music; countless others also find solace and pride in what music can do for them. What I want to “review” isn’t a piece of music but rather music itself. More specifically, how I feel about music and how it has shaped my life.
I could start when I was younger, listening to whatever my dad would play throughout the house, whether that be The Beatles, Elvis Presley or any other famous rock musician from yesteryears. Or I could talk about my transition into becoming a musician myself, starting with playing percussion in the school band and moving on to playing a full drum kit, among other things. However, I want to focus on my college experience and how it has shaped what I think about music today.
When I first came to college, I focused a large amount of my listening sessions on artists and albums of different genres to expand my taste and increase my knowledge of music. Through that, I started meeting new friends and finding even more opportunities.
Shortly before I started writing “On The Beat,” I became the president of 1851 Entertainment and 1851 Records, both student-run organizations that promote the music scene here at St. Joe’s. These clubs gave me a chance to learn about how others use music in their daily lives, and how it has influenced them. They also allowed me to learn the ropes of how to work a record label myself and how to plan a concert that prioritized artists first. Music drew me into a position I thought could be a calling of mine.
As I close out my last few weeks at St. Joe’s and have one last column, I think about music’s relevance more and more. Sharing my thoughts and feelings about music has been more than just an opportunity; it has been a passion.
And as I close out this piece today, I’ll leave you all with the chance to think about how music has shaped your life, or maybe how it could. I know, without a doubt, that as I leave this campus, music will still go on and friends will still be made, and that’s all I could ask for. If you read my column and agreed or disagreed with my work, I thank you for your time as well. Make sure to keep the music alive.
