Article January 1, 1999 ISSUE

Both sides bonded by their love of music

Siobhan Gadd

Music, the greatest good that mortals know,
And all of heaven we have below. (Joseph Addison, “A Song for St. Cecilia's Day”)

I think of music as one of God's greatest gifts. It transcends borders and has the capability to unite people of different races, cultures, and languages.

Having played an instrument for eight years and been an active member of an orchestra, I've learned that many pieces of music are filled with spiritual messages that have incredible ability to give hope. And, to a degree, alleviate suffering and grief. For example, I've always found relief and calm in Mary Baker Eddy's words in a hymn from the Christian Science Hymnal: “0 gentle presence, peace and joy and power...” (No. 207 ). Almost at once, this hymn offers comfort and safety. It reminds me that God is an omnipotent, reassuring presence — always with us.

One of the enjoyable aspects of playing in an orchestra is the stimulus of all the musicians working together to produce a beautiful, moving sound. Everyone is equal. Everyone is willing to cooperate. And everyone's role is important. In this sense, it's like God's kingdom, where we're all united as children of the one God, working together to express something magnificent.

Having been brought up in a divided community, I've seen people of both factions joined together by the power of music. In Northern Ireland, Protestants and Catholics can bridge their differences and come together in common cause to make music. Perhaps my most special musical achievement was when I took part in a cross-community production of West Side Story, which brought people from both sides of the divide together.

The show received a lot of publicity and was a huge success. It served as a reminder that when we all work together, bonded by our love of music, there's no difference or ill-feeling. The message transmitted in West Side Story can be directly related to our situation here in Belfast. And everyone who saw the show left with a clearer understanding of just how fruitless the conflict here is.

Music is more than sound. It's an expression and a feeling. Wallace Stevens aptly describes this in his novel Peter Quince at the Clavier:

Just as my fingers on these keys
Make music, so the selfsame sounds
On my spirit make music, too.
“Music is feeling, then, not sound.”

Music is a medium to transfer a message. And much music, especially classical, expresses the beauty of God's kingdom through the beauty and gracefulness of the music. Music can so lift a person's heart, and inspire, that it should be encouraged and shared throughout the world. It's a language we can all understand. And music underlines the fact that, in God's eyes, we're all brothers and sisters. We're perfect creations, and we can live accordingly.:)

Siobhan Gadd, Belfast, Northern Ireland

About the author

Siobhan attended the Belfast School of Music, where she played the trumpet and sang in the St. George's Girl's Choir. She's also taken part in Ulster Theatre Company productions, as well as other plays and musicals. Siobhan has just finished a four-year degree at St. Andrews University in Scotland.

Send a comment to the editors
NEXT IN THIS ISSUE
Article
God inspires me to write songs
January 1, 1999
Contents

We'd love to hear from you!

Easily submit your testimonies, articles, and poems online.

Submit