The opening line in Curiosities of Music, Louis C. Elson 2 tells us, ‘Music has been broadly defined by Fetis as “the art of moving the feelings by combinations of sounds”; taken in this broad sense it may be considered as coeval (beginning at the same time) with the human race.’ Moving through time, geography, culture, faith, and now, even space, music is an ancient and universal language. In her book in which drumming practices of women in antiquity are described, Layne Redmond writes, ‘…transforming practices such as rhythmic drumming or meditation can put us in touch with the archetypal patterns of consciousness inherent in human beings ’.3 From sharing the simplest rhythmic tapping to sophisticated multi-media productions involving sounds from space, music weaves connection within and among people. Musical choices and preferences become key parts of identity and significant ways in which we learn about and communicate who we are. Melodies, remembered from the past, flow into the present, bringing with them their attendant emotions and images.
KeywordsAttendant Emotion Universal Language Light Show Light Designer Dance Company
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- 1.Hart, Mickey & Stevens, Jay (1990) Drumming at the edge of magic (San Francisco: Harper) p. 43.Google Scholar
- 2.Elson, Louis C. (1908) Curiosities of Music (© Oliver Ditson Company, Boston) (first, 1880, J.M. Stoddart & Company) p. 7.Google Scholar
- 3.Redmond, Layne (1997) When the Drummers were women: A spiritual history of rhythm (New York: Three Rivers Press) p. 6.Google Scholar
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