Music and Meaning
Oral Communication Practice
Watch the video featuring musician Wynton Marsalis and his presentation on how music is used to convey different moods and meanings. Then, think about your responses to the questions below.
1. Did you enjoy the different styles of music played in the video? Why or why not?
2. What do you think can be done to develop people's appreciation of music?
RESPONSES FROM AROUND THE WORLD
Melissa Ong, 32, music performer and educator
“Although we have made good progress, there is still much more work to be done in making [Singapore’s] music landscape more vibrant and inclusive. To do this, we need more accessible performing venues and opportunities, as well as avenues for all people to be actively involved in music-making. Music needs to be owned and driven by the community.”
Colin Riley, music researcher and new music composer in his 50s
“The way people relate to music stems initially from their social background and their upbringing. From an early age we tap into our own heritage. But then we experiment. We often rebel. Our social group also develops as we go through life and so there is further dilution and inspiration. It’s an on-going process. I also see that the way we connect [with] music is very complex, working on many levels.”
Anne Weiss, vocalist, songwriter and multi-instrumentalist
“One piece of missing information when I was growing up was that nobody knew that I was visually impaired, including me. And because I wanted to please [my grandmother] so much . . . she would, you know, put music in front of me . . . and I wanted to learn the piece. So I would say would you play it again? And would you play it again? And would you play it again, and I’d be staring at the music thinking I was learning something from looking at that at the sheet. But actually, I was memorising the sounds. And that’s, and that’s how I learned to play.”
