We teach students in our music school in Midland, Texas a variety of musical styles, emphasizing core disciplines that Classical music can foster.
The music of the West, otherwise known as Western Art Music, particularly Classical Music is deeply intertwined with Western culture. It is perhaps one of the West’s greatest expressions and evidence of successful organization and human influence. All music we know in our modern world stands on the ancient formations of tuning, harmony, counterpoint and notation given to us from Classical Music and earlier. Even our modern computer sequencers are designed based on the score-format developed over hundreds of years in Classical tradition.
At our music school in Midland, Texas we teach composition students how to both create scored notation as well as how to utilize digital audio workstations.
When discussing Western Culture, although there are a number of various influences, one does not have to search too deeply before seeing its evident Judeo-Christian underpinnings. Constitutional scholars have studied the origins of the United States Constitution, tracing it back to Abraham. The core values started with him had a steady stream of influence through Jerusalem, Athens, Rome, the Netherlands, and finally to the United States. All modern Western countries have been touched by a few important concepts found in the Judeo-Christian tradition.
There are distinct examples of musical expression in the ancient Hebrew scriptures highlighting music that go beyond our current-day understanding of music’s purpose, which will be discussed later.
Perhaps one of the most important patterns of design evident in the Jewish heritage is that of the Tabernacle of Moses. It was in and around this place, and subsequent tabernacles and temples,
that music had a profound role.
The plans of the Tabernacle were divinely given:
Then Moses went up to the mountain, and the cloud covered the mountain…Moses entered the midst of the cloud as he went up to the mountain…according to all that I am going to show you, as the pattern of the tabernacle and the pattern of all its furniture, just so you shall construct it…see that you make them after the pattern for them, which was shown to you on the mountain. (Ex. 24:16,18; 25:40)
The unique design of the Tabernacle had three main parts: 1) The outer court, 2) The Inner Court, and 3) the Holy of Holies (where the Ark of the Covenant was placed).
The understanding of the Jewish Tabernacle and subsequent Temple was influential in Christian theology, as well. Jesus made provocative statements to the religious leaders of His day, such as,
Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up…but He was speaking of the temple of His body. (Jn. 2:21)
The Apostle Paul echoes this thought,
Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God, and that you are not your own? (I Cor. 6:19)
Paul asserts the tripartite nature of man in further writings,
Now may the God of peace sanctify you entirely; and may your spirit and soul and body be preserved complete. (I Thess. 5:23)
The original design shown to Moses on Mount Sinai, in the Judeo-Christian tradition is a physical edifice metaphoric of the hidden parts of our human existence. The outer court, inner court, and Holy of holies correlates to the body, soul, and spirit of man, respectively. Everyone can see the outer tent curtain of our physical being, but the Tabernacle design reveals in more detail what is hidden.
The middle part of the Tabernacle had three distinct furnishings: 1) The Altar of Incense (at the entryway to the Holy of Holies), 2) The Candelabra (or, Menorah, to the left), and 3) the Showbread Table (to the right).
If the Tabernacle correlates to the tripartite nature of man – spirit, soul, and body, then this middle section is synonymous with our soul.
The ancient Hebrew word for soul is leb – mind, will and emotions. This correlates with the articles found in the middle room, the Inner Court, of Moses’ Tabernacle.
Why is this important to understand?
Music is influenced by and influences the soul – mind, will, and emotions. Music’s patterns are picked up by our mind’s ability to perceive proportions and relationships, our choices are easily moved by music’s influence, and our emotions can be inarguably fed by music’s nourishment.
We help students in our music school in Midland, Texas to understand patterns and designs of motivic development and emotional analysis in structural composition and performance interpretation.
Many people in our current culture are unaware of the musical background of King David.
Then one of the young men said, “Behold, I have seen a son of Jesse the Bethlehemite who is a skillful musician, a mighty man of valor, a warrior, one prudent in speech, and a handsome man; and the Lord is with him.” (I Sam. 16:18)
David knew of the power of music to touch and restore the soul. Perhaps one of his most famous songs was written out in the sheep-fields as he was alone in the wilderness singing, worshipping and encouraging himself.
The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want.
He makes me lie down in green pastures;
He leads me beside quiet waters.
He restores my soul… (Ps. 23:1-3)
David was not the only beneficiary of his excellent musicianship.
(King) Saul sent to Jesse, saying, let David now stand before me, for he has found favor in my sight.” So it came about whenever the evil spirit from God came to Saul, David would take the harp and play it with his hand; and Saul would be refreshed and be well, and the evil spirit would depart from him. (I Sam. 16:23)
Music was used here to heal an internal part of Saul’s life.
When David became king, he set up skillful musicians around the Tabernacle to provide around the clock worship. He initially appointed 288 skilled musicians to lead worship and praise the Lord, day and night, using various instruments he had made for this purpose. He later expanded this to 4,000 musicians. (I Chron. 23:5; 25:1-31)
Music was used for the most highly regarded aspect of Isreal: the worship of God. They presented the best they had to offer at the highest level of their society and belief system.
We hope to inspire students in our music school in Midland, Texas to appreciate the value and power of musical participation.
It was a higher role than mere entertainment or cultural influence. It was placed at the core of their DNA as a people, their honor of the God who rescued them from oppression and established them as a nation.
Israel continued to use music when facing their enemies in battle.
Jehoshaphat stood and said, “Listen to me, O Judah and inhabitants of Jerusalem, put your trust in the Lord your God and you will be established. Put your trust in His prophets and succeed.” When he had consulted with the people, he appointed those who sang to the Lord and those who praised Him in holy attire, as they went out before the army and said, “Give thanks to the Lord, for His lovingkindness is everlasting.” When they began singing and praising, the Lord set ambushes against the sons of Ammon, Moab and Mount Seir, who had come against Judah; so they were routed. (2 Chron. 20:20-22)
Music was used to stir up the prophet’s gift.
Elisha said, “As the Lord lives, before whom I stand, were it not that I regard the presence of Jehoshaphat the king of Judah, I would not look at you nor see you. But bring me a minstrel.” And it came about, when the minstrel played, that the hand of the Lord came upon him.” (2 Kings 3:14-15)
Perhaps, some students in our music school in Midland, Texas will pursue unique and varied aspects of music-making, some pursuing a career in music therapy.
All of the above examples show aspects of music chronicled in the writings of our Judeo-Christian heritage, upon which our Western Civilization is based. These are not mere myths, easily swept aside, but powerful examples of what could or should be happening in our experience today.
Music’s power and possibilities, in our age of technological enlightenment, remains untapped. We have neglected the power it has to shape the internal parts of our lives, while we are distracted with the external, tangible parts of our existence. The power of music to restore the soul, invoke worship, defeat enemies, and stir up prophetic vision is not the norm in our modern-day social fabric.
Perhaps it should be.
At our music school in Midland, Texas we make it a priority to inspire students to see the hidden beauties of making music, regardless of their religious beliefs or ideologies.