MUSIC CHOOSES US

 

During the forty-plus years I’ve had a private voice studio, I’ve been privileged to work with some unusually gifted students…students who have a naturally beautiful voice, excellent musical skills, an innate sense of musicality, and a passion for music. It has been immensely gratifying to see a few of them become professional performers, sometimes for only a few years, sometimes building a successful long-term career.

  I often say to these students: “We don’t choose music, music chooses us.” And I believe that to be true. However, being a Chosen One isn’t all smooth sailing. Especially in the World of Opera.

 Even when a young singer has “all the tools,” there are no guarantees. It’s a difficult and demanding profession. Singers in particular are musical athletes. They need to be in great physical condition and constantly care for the voice. They spend hours and hours learning new music, memorizing music, coaching, studying, and rehearsing. They must be willing to travel sometimes at the drop of a hat. Despite this, as one of my most successful students said at one time, “sometimes the best singers never make it.” The factor that can’t be ignored is luck—being in the right place at the right time, or being the right choice for a particular opportunity.

 My recent research into music therapy led me to wonder about the incidence of mental illness and emotional distress in this population (performers), and it was no surprise to learn that it is indeed higher than in the general population. These are by and large sensitive people who respond more intensely to the stressors they undergo as they attempt to build a career.

Yet a passion for music and the skills for performance are powerful motivators, and many people continue to pursue such a career. I for one am grateful they make this choice…for what would life be without the music they share with us? The reward goes far beyond receiving remuneration for their “work.”

 Magical moments can happen in a live performance…magical for both performer and audience alike. For a while, all else is forgotten, and together we enter into an unforgettable time and space which removes us from our day-to-day existence.

 

“Music gives a soul to the universe, wings to the mind, 

flight to the imagination and life to everything.” 

– (attributed to Plato)

picture by Tristan Flanagan for cover of my book, "You Are My Song"

www.susanmoorejordan.com