Music has a profound way of bringing people together. Whether it’s through performing in school choir or band, singing together in religious services, or jamming with a few friends, music has the power to form bonds between people who are otherwise very different from one another—people of different ages, genders, and sometimes, even people from different cultures.
In honor of Cinco de Mayo, I wanted to share with you the opportunity I had to experience this aspect of music firsthand through my participation in a music festival in Mexico. Together with musicians from all over the United States, Mexico, and Central America, we learned to perform, live, and laugh together as shared in the wonderful gift of music.
The Journey
Armed with my trumpet, over-stuffed suitcase, and shiny new passport, I embarked on my very first trip abroad to play in the Opera Maya Festival Orchestra. I was both excited and nervous to play music in a different country, and although I’d studied Spanish for 3 years in high school, the thought of communicating with native speakers was slightly terrifying.
After navigating delayed flights and airport security (a tricky feat with musical instruments), our team clambered from the bus and sat down for our first rehearsal. I could feel the nervous tension (and humidity) in the air as musicians from Mexico, Guatemala, and all over the United States filled the seats, waiting for rehearsal to start. It was rocky at first, finding our way around the language barrier, but with the help of the whispered translations, our group finally began to make music.
Experiencing Culture Through Music
And what wonderful music it was! I fell in love with the gorgeous pieces we played, from tangos to original songs in Maya, and particularly the piece Danzón No. 2. It’s a fantastic piece that is filled with enchanting melodies and energetic flair. I highly recommend you give it a listen!
But beyond learning new music, I also experienced the profound way that music influences Mexican culture. After learning the basics of salsa from our Central American compatriots, my friends and I attended a dance in the city square. I wouldn’t classify myself as a dancer by any means, but I had an amazing time, and I marveled at the beauty of this culture and how music brings its communities together every single week. I wish that we did something similar in the United States!
Music as a Shared Language
But perhaps the greatest lesson I learned was how sharing music as your language brings people of different backgrounds together. I’ll never forget the comment that our translator made about this as we ended the trip. In the beginning, we had constantly asked for her help to translate this and that, but by the end, we hardly sought her help at all. Throughout those two weeks learned to overcome the language barrier and connect with each other.
And it was true. Throughout the rehearsals, meals, and free time, my fellow orchestra members and I got to know each other. We talked and joked, stumbling through English and Spanish together until we learned how to communicate. Brought together by our love of music, we formed friendships despite language and cultural barriers.
Although you may not be able to hop on a plane and join a musical group in a different country, you can still celebrate music’s ability to bring people together by listening to music from other cultures and looking for opportunities to engage in the musical community right here in Indianapolis. Start exploring different cultures and genres today by signing up for lessons with one of our instructors!
- Jordan Koehlinger, Music Instructor at Vibe Music Academy.
