Music, A Language With No Boundaries

This morning, my Bench Talk will be a little different. I would like to talk about music for just a moment, and then I will ask Mr. Gold and Ms. Warner to join me for a short performance.

Will Laud — you did a nice job imitating my Bench Talk about catching a skunk. If you can imitate this one, I will be impressed.

I have spoken to you on a number of occasions about Vermont, painting a picture of a rustic utopia. Some of you assume, therefore, that I am only interested in Vermonty things — maple syrup, skiing, wood stoves, fall foliage, Ben and Jerry's ice cream . . .

Well, I had another passion when I was your age — music. I started playing the cello when I was 10, and by the time I was a junior in high school, I devoted two to four hours a day to practice over the summer months. While I do not have the time to practice or play the instrument these days, my love of music has not abated and I plan, when I have more time on my hands, to return to the instrument that I love.

Music is a language that has no boundaries. Unlike the spoken or written word, you do not need to understand music in order to be moved by it. Music is the most precise language available to us because it can evoke emotions that are impossible to articulate.

All of us have an appreciation for music. Although some of your tastes might vary slightly from my own, we all derive some reaction from virtually any piece of music. Think for a moment of songs or pieces that you play in specific situations, whether it is to prepare for an athletic contest, to do your homework, or to relax on a Sunday afternoon. We all have our favorite music for different occasions.

So, this morning, we will play a trio by Schubert. Although I like many genres of music, even country, classical music is my favorite for its complexity, beauty, and power.

To watch (and listen to) the performance, please click here.