Kids Speaking Up: The Rhythm of My Pulse

A generation moves away from great forms of music.

By Sio Tepper, Kids Speaking Up | Published on 01.21.2009

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A few days ago, while driving to a friend’s house, I began my routine task of flipping through the radio stations to find just one good piece of music to listen to — a seeming impossibility these days.

Sio Tepper

But to my pleasant surprise, it landed on a station that was playing this beautiful jazz piece that had a sort of Latin twist to it; as it turns out, it was a piece by Miles Davis.

I drove on in complete euphoria as I listened to this newfound masterpiece, one of many in the currently hidden realm of genuinely good music. My spirits lifted as I started to wonder, contrary to my pessimistic beliefs, if humanity is beginning to cease its lack of appreciation of purely awesome music.

As I pulled up to my friend’s house, I decided I would ask her what she thought of the piece, as a test for my hope. She stepped into the car, and before I even had the chance to open my mouth she said, “Oh, man, change the station! I don’t want to listen to classical music!” Humanity had failed me again.

I was appalled by the ignorance that was so blatantly inherent in my friend. She had mistaken jazz for classical music. While I know I cannot base an entire population on one person, there is no denying that this episode with my friend is perpetually playing in different forms in our society today.

As an aspiring musician, I cannot live without music. And as I fully immerse myself in the sublime world of music and explore all of its hidden marvels, I can’t help but stop and think about the fact that I am one of a small minority of people of my generation who feels this way toward music. I don’t understand the absurdity of this notion; like the many people who listen to rap and claim they hate jazz, when rap is a direct product of jazz, or the ones who mistake jazz for classical.

However absurd it may be, it is self-evident that people of my generation have a lack in appreciation of purely good music. The majority of people my age have probably never heard a piece by Bach, let alone know or care who he is.

It is this absence of knowledge and admiration that leads me to my greatest fear — that the future holds no place for the good music that I cannot live without. The future is in the command of our generation, and with most of my generation ignorant and against many great forms of music, I wonder if the small minority is strong enough to sustain the spirit of that good music that keeps me alive.

Sio Tepper is a junior at Santa Barbara High.

Comments

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» Tisha Ford on 01.22.09 @ 06:15 AM

Sio,
You have restored my faith in your generation to “sustain the spirit of that good music”.
twf

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» eve on 01.22.09 @ 06:15 AM

Wow, you are a great writer with a sad message and the blaim is not with the children, it is with the parents and teachers unfortunately. How much exposure at a young age does any child get to the kind of music you are enjoying? Music of this kind is essentially removed by the school district and opportunities to explore classical instruments seem to be for just the rich. My son was not allowed to be in the school orchestra because it was “full” (this is 4th grade!) and therefore he would have to have private lessons if he were to play an instrument. Talk more. Write more. Direct it to the educational leaders, parents and your peers. Perhaps you will be the change we need. Thank you for the refreshing article. I loved it!

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» Stephanie on 01.22.09 @ 07:48 AM

Oh, Sio. You are such a lovely writer, and have said this so beautifully. Sad and true yet I remain hopeful! There are still amazing young people like you gracing the planet with your inner beauty.

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» Kim on 01.22.09 @ 08:04 AM

Sio,
I’m so glad you are so passionate about carrying the torch. I’m glad also that you are seeing connections among various styles of music, and would love to know how you came to see the connection between rap and jazz, and the disconnection between jazz and classical. I remember being very impressed with the rap you came up with about your name in Mrs. Imel’s class! Ultimately, the quantity of good music in the future will be decided by the quantity of passion in the people who propound it. Keep the faith! Mr. Collins

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» Proud mother on 01.22.09 @ 11:58 AM

I guess I feel very proud at this moment. My son who is 31 was exposed very young to a variety of music, in school and at home. Yes, he loves the modern rock and roll that most young people do, but he also loves music from musicals, classical music, symphonies and even Christmas music. Yes, children need to be exposed to all types of music and they will naturally learn to appreciate and love many kinds. Nice article from an intelligent young woman.

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» Will Martin on 01.22.09 @ 05:01 PM

Sio,
As a member of your generation, I find it very intriguing to see someone raising awareness regarding the lack of culture we’re exposed to. I agree entirely that we’ve lost appreciation for the music so beloved by our elders, as we are all too entranced by catchy beats as opposed to skillfully conducted symphonies. Although I’m not sure if anyone has the cure for a lack of taste in music, but keep writing, keep making a difference. Thank you for this piece.

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» Hating Music... on 01.22.09 @ 05:48 PM

only natural to like in the end. For any pieces by way of Bach being classical, I’m trying to get Bill “McAroni” Ceroni to blast Copland’s Rodeo on his radio station and see if any can juggle the beats probably running at 98 bpms with Joplin’s novelty piano.

Absent knowledge of influence, ragtime did influence Aaron’s ballet. I think that in the small minority to sustain any spirits, shiraz or manischevitz, any music is good to have a beat for keeping me alive so be prepared to argue that point.

Peace Love Unity Happiness Respect: PLUHR - was so like the turn of the millennium - look; 2 m’s, 2 i’s, 2 l’s, 2 n’s and a sole e. Music is for every body 2 have.

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» John Douglas on 01.23.09 @ 07:10 AM

Thanks for this insightful piece, Sio. Next time you encounter such closed-mindedness, point out interesting features of the particular music you are listening to - maybe your friend will appreciate the music a little more if he or she focusses on particular aspects of the music. Your enthusiasm is infectious, and will eventually win the day. Remember also, that often the finer things in life require getting used to. I did not like opera, olives, John Coltrane’s later recordings, wine, and other delights, until I got used to them by trying them a little at a time over time. (Please don’t try wine until you are 21 years of age.) John Douglas

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» lehlthomres@gmail.com on 01.25.09 @ 05:39 PM

Ah, Sio, how your words are sweet music to my ears! Our nation is “out of tune” with its cultural heritage—-children are no longer able to sing our national anthem, let alone taught music appreciation, to play a musical instrument, or listen to classical music.

Perhaps you would join the student-driven school reform movement? Our school system has lost sight of the educational mission to teach our children how to express themselves in all ways—-with words, art, music, dance, drama—-and learn to admire the expressions of others.

“Hating Music” mentions “PLURH” and my favorite, Copland, but then turns my stomach with Bill “MacAroni” Ciron, who cooks up a terrible curriculum and mixes corruption into our schools.

Teachers, parents, and students are online, all over the country, discussing a new school paradigm. I, too, bemoan the sad state of education; my son’s generation is not fond of school for good reason.

Please join http://www.sbschooltalk.com and tune in to education reform.

That “spirit of good music” that keeps you alive plays in the hearts and souls of humanity but it is often drowned out by chaos and conflict.

Perhaps the music of your generation is expressing a horrifying reality—-that the world is “out of step” and our disharmonious ways have made us not only “tone deaf” but heart-sick and short-sighted, too.

You wondered “if humanity is beginning to cease its lack of appreciation of purely awesome music” while the world’s wise elders and peacemakers wonder if humanity has completely lost its mind, lost its abilities to think rationally and act reasonably, respectfully, and most importantly, to be compassionate. Even worse is the propensity for violence and corruption.

Your words of praise for your favorite music turn to sour notes when you berate others: “I was appalled by the ignorance that was so blatantly inherent in my friend.”

Mind your words and mend your mind, my dear, sweet Sio.
Be tolerant; practice patience and understanding—-you’ll need it when your own children turn up the volume to the atonal sounds of their generation:

“Everyday, think as you wake up, today I am fortunate to be alive, I have a precious human life, I am not going to waste it. I am going to use all my energies to develop myself, to expand my heart out to others; to achieve enlightenment for the benefit of all beings. I am going to have kind thoughts towards others, I am not going to get angry or think badly about others. I am going to benefit others as much as I can.” - Dalai Lama

That your friend couldn’t hear what made your heart sing means only that she is dancing to “the beat of a different drummer. Let her step to the music which she hears, however measured or far away.” Henry Thoreau

I will never forget my mother’s face when she first heard the Beatles, and I laugh to hear their music in elevators and in ads today. How lucky I was to accompany Mom to her beloved Broadway musicals, classical ballets, symphonies, and even modern masters.

(Maya Angelou was so right: “No matter what your relationship with your parents, you miss them when they’re gone.”)

My whole life I have been thought “mad” by those who couldn’t hear the music to which I danced. Lately, though, I find I am shaking my booty to the rhythm of your generation, moving to a new kind of beat.

Let us listen to our children for a change! “Every blade of grass has an angel bending over it, saying, ‘Grow! Grow!’” The Talmud.

May “Kids Speaking Up!” become a grass-roots, student-driven reform movement in education and our society.

We’re listening, and you’re singing a wonderful song!

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» Mr. D. oneTeacher on 01.26.09 @ 10:40 AM

Teach.

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» skpoet on 01.27.09 @ 09:55 AM

Dear Sio,

Others have complimented you for writing such a nice piece and so do I. I want to tell you that your lament is not a new one. Through the years, jazz has had endure being misunderstood and even abused. It has often been placed in the “other” categories. There have been periods when it was not embraced by the general public, i.e. adults. Many other genres - pop, r & B, country, disco, hip-hop, rap - have been more successful by sheer numbers of sales and airplay. Several years ago, I wrote a short play called “Jazz at Big John’s” based on a true story about how my dad had tried to bring jazz to my small hometown in western North Carolina. His efforts were short-lived because most of the town club-goers would rather hear R&B;. They were quite vocal about this and would not patronize the jazz groups that he was bringing into town. My dad was heartbroken when he had to close the club. Music tastes often mellow with age. My generation, the boomers, as a viable target audience can still have an impact on the type of music that gets airplay. Jazz - from whence the idea of “cool” was born could become very “cool” again. Today’s young people may one day clamor to hear the “hippest” music to come out of the 20th Century. Keep hope alive.

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