Music and Rites

Music and Rites have played a major role in my life as well. Rites including weddings, funerals, other special occasions such as graduations.Sometimes I feel as if I am in two places at once. I am usually asked to play for either a funeral or wedding at the Spanish mass. It is very hard to focus on playing the right notes as well as either grieving or celebrating. At times, I play for people I know or do not know. Our music is harmonically based. We train our ears to focus. We use music as our shield for the most part. In Latin America, music sounds out of tune which probably makes it seem very powerful and expressive to them. This is completely normal in their culture even though it may not seem that way to us. One of my experiences is during my senior recital. I was focusing on playing and expressing myself through the music. At the same time, I wanted to make my whole family, teachers, and friends proud. I had family come from Charleston and Georgia to hear me perform the piano and organ. My graduation was another one of my experiences. My sister and I were so excited and anxious to graduate and walk across the stage to get our diplomas. We had to remember to calm ourselves down and to get through the graduation ceremony before we were able to celebrate! Switching to another topic, imagine singing in a funeral or in that case, a wedding! It would be even harder to control your emotions as well as concentrate. Without these rites without music, it would be nothing. It is a very intament part of both. It is hard to imagine it! The specific function of music during these rites is for tradition and pleasure. In my opinion, it makes sense to have music because it makes the occasion and brings it more into perspective. Many people pick out the music they want played or sung for either their wedding or funeral. It is important part of these rituals for the people involved. All sort of music are used depending on the likes and dislikes of people. Today, about anything goes for weddings and is accepted. Many traditional songs for weddings and funerals such as the traditional wedding march and the traditional amazing grace, ave maria are played. It depends on the religion preference on the person and people involved. Other times there are non-traditional music used; this is all acceptable today my modern society. Everything is accepted. You can do whatever you want to do. If someone really detested the wedding march then you would not use it! Of course it could change to reflect the experiences of personalities of the individuals at the center of the rites. The family usually picks the music. The people involved in the rite are the ones that listen to the music and depending on the music, the organ or other accompaniment perform the music. In conclusion, music and rites coincide with one another. These particular rites without music would not be the same.