CONCERTS

“Music is the universal language of mankind," often attributed to Henry Wadsworth Longfellow, has become, in my opinion, a well-worn cliché. While it's true that music plays a vital role in every culture across the globe and throughout history, the notion that music functions as a language oversimplifies its complexity. For instance, just as people from diverse backgrounds can often identify a language they do not speak, music does not convey a fixed, universal meaning – we can identify the structure of a song, but not everyone will interpret its emotional or narrative intent in the same way. If music were truly a universal language, its meaning would be universally understood. Yet, musical elements like rhythm, melody, or even text evoke different interpretations depending on an individual's cultural, historical, or personal context.

 

Rather than thinking of music as a universal language, it’s more accurate to view it as a universal connector; while music transcends linguistic and geographical barriers, it does not do so by offering a single, universally understood message. Music fosters common ground between people who may hold differing cultural, political, or religious beliefs, through shared experience rather than shared understanding. This connective quality can be found in all art forms. Like music, all art transcends cultural and linguistic differences, and allows for dialogues between the artists, performers, and their audiences. In dance, the choreographed movements communicate emotions, ideas, or stories that the audience then interprets through their own experiences. Visual artists strive to convey certain themes and feelings, but each viewer brings their own experiences to the interpretation, allowing the artwork to evolve as a unique dialogue between the artist’s intent and the audience’s perspective.

 

The conversations we engage in through art create connections that don’t rely on a singular interpretation. Instead, they provide a shared space for emotional and intellectual engagement, where the diversity of interpretation enhances the experience. The beauty of art lies in its ability to evoke individual responses, allowing people to interact with it in personal and meaningful ways. Whether through the visual, auditory, or emotional impact, art offers a platform for connection—both within oneself and with others. This power to transcend barriers and build bonds, without the need for a universal "translation," reveals art not as a language, but as a universal medium for human connection.

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-- Janelle Wigal Wagoner (Artistic Director)