Some might say music is the universal language, and although the way in which we share music has changed, we still find music in our everyday lives. Whether it’s through listening to a playlist or hearing the chimes of a door closing on a subway, we experience music everywhere.
In Ancient Greece they believed that music developed the mind and soul. It was used in both serious religious settings as well as casual entertainment. Now, in the 21st century, there are thousands of distinct genres and artists, and the average person listens to about three hours of music every day.
Edwin Noble, a 74-year-old Air Force Veteran, started singing in his first choir at 5 years old. For those counting, that was almost 70 years ago, and they were 70 years filled with music. Noble grew up in Elk Point, a small town in the bottom corner of South Dakota. He started in a mixed choir during elementary and junior high, and was accepted to All State his senior year with a quartet made up of two other classmates and his best friend. Noble played the trombone from middle school to college, joined the Air Force, traveled the world, retired, and joined the Colorado Springs Choral. When asked how music had changed his life, Noble replied, “Music has given me the opportunity to experience things I wouldn’t have possibly done without it.”
Like Noble, Richard Schottler, a social studies teacher at Coronado High School, also found a home in music during his education. Schottler talked about how he switched schools in his sophomore year, crediting music with his ability to connect with new kids: “The only easy way to make friends at that age is to talk about music.” He was a part of two different high school bands, and now he keeps a record player in his classroom to play music while students work.
Music connects people everywhere and creates opportunities and communities, sometimes unintentionally. Both Noble and Schottler found a strong community through playing and enjoying music, and set an example for anyone looking to harvest new relationships.
