Musical talents need to be heard
By Nate Seltenrich
Raise your hand if you play a musical instrument. Come on, don't be shy. Raise it up high.
I know there are a lot of you out there. I've seen you playing at open mics or while sitting on steps outside Benson. I've heard you in dorm rooms, on camping trips and at The Bronco.
I often see you carrying your instruments on campus, held proudly in a black case at your side.
I also know that there are a lot of you out there who haven't yet gone public. You practice in your room when you're alone, experimenting with new sounds or trying to imitate your musical idols. In between classes, late at night or early on weekends, you work at your art, striving to improve or just enjoying the modest beauty of what you're able to play.
To all of you who play a musical instrument, or even two, three or more, I salute you.
And to those of you who have yet to pick up an instrument, I implore you: start now! Now is the time to learn to play, while you are surrounded by so many fine musicians at Santa Clara and have access to a wide variety of instruments through friends and the university's music programs.
The ability to create music is a very special gift and should not go to waste. To piece together individual notes into a cohesive sound that has the power to make us feel and express so many emotions and energies is a very special thing.
Within each and every one of us lies the power to add new and beautiful music to the world. Pick up a drum and beat on it. Hit a glass with a spoon. Scratch a pick across the strings of a guitar. What you create may amaze you.
No one should stray away from trying a musical instrument because they don't think they are talented or skilled enough. Think of Ray Charles and Stevie Wonder, two very talented musicians who are both blind. What about The Who's Pete Townshend, who is almost completely deaf but still an incredibly perceptive guitarist? Need I mention Ludwig von Beethoven, who in spite of his deafness became one of the world's greatest composers?
Still think you can't make music?
For all those of you who raised your hand at the beginning of this article, I want you to do just two more things. First, give yourself a pat on the back. Then, pick up your instrument. Make the world a better place by making music.