Thoughts on Music

I've thought a lot about music at various times. For example, how much does what we listen to affect us? Does the type of music affect us? Are some types of music (apart from lyrics) better than others (morally, aesthetically, technically, etc.)

Recently (well, fairly recently...it was before school ended, but I haven't really had time to blog on it since) I had another thought.

Actually, I was talking to one of my students about the music I was playing at the time (Russell Watson, I believe.) He said he'd like to be able to sing like that if he couldn't be a rock star (or rap artist?)...or something sort of along those lines. It was a while ago. To make a short story shorter we started to compare the beauty of the semi-classical music we were listening to to the beauty of rap. As a disclaimer, I've never claimed to be a fan of rap. Sometimes I can stand some of it. But this student does like rap, and I got him to agree that rap really cannot be considered beautiful. Fun, cool, sweet perhaps...but not generally what comes to mind when you think of beauty.

Perhaps others would disagree (and some rap songs may be exceptions to the "rule"), and if so I'd like to hear their arguments. At any rate, the conversation started me thinking. At Petra we emphasize the importance of truth and beauty and their connectedness. Now, I haven't drawn any hard conclusions, but I do wonder. If some types of music have less beauty than others, does that mean they also have less truth? Or perhaps reflect the true form of music less truly?

Just some thoughts/questions. Comments are welcome. ;)

And for the fun of it, here's a beautiful picture from here at camp. :)

Update

It's been a really long time since I've posted a blog here. I have, of course, written blogs. I have just failed to post them, for a variety of reasons. The last few weeks have been exhausting and rather emotional, so I'm not sure that my thoughts from that time period are appropriate for the world to read. Just to give an idea of everything I've done....

I went to a Sr/Jr breakfast.
I went to an inter-house party.
I helped organize the last house competition and had my house win the cup again.
I wrote and graded six finals (six different classes, that is).
I went to two graduations.
I hung out with family here for my sister's graduation.
I turned in final grades.
I said good-bye to my students of five years (though hopefully I'll see them again.)
I packed and moved out of my classroom at school and my house.
I placed and received two orders with Sysco for camp.
I moved into my cabin at camp...well...sort of. I have sheets on my bed!
I started training three gals how to cook in mass quantities.
I fed 50 people three meals a day for about 4 days.
I played Ultimate Frisbee and helped with a Highway Clean-up.
I helped clean two large convection ovens.
I got new Chacos!
I made hundreds (thousands?) of cookies, at home and at camp.
I have tried desperately to finish and order the yearbook.
I became re-acquainted with old friends and met new ones.
I gave hundreds of hugs.
I planned menus for two weeks.
I attended about 5 staff meetings without learning anything new.
I played a crazy game of ping-pong and laughed until my abs ached.
I slept way less than I should.
I cried numerous times for various reasons.
I laughed even more numerous times.
I bought material to make more aprons for more people.
I organized two walk-in freezers, a walk-in cooler, and two dry storage areas.

Yup, that's a bit of my life for the past month or so. Quite a ride! I'm hoping it will be a wee bit and at that time perhaps I'll catch up on my blogging. If I can remember my ideas that long... :)