Biola’s Conservatory students will conclude their semester this month with performances and recitals. On May 5, the Symphonic Winds will be performing their annual Pops concert, featuring popular, fun and imaginative music. On May 8, the Conservatory will feature a chamber music recital.

As the Year of the Arts finishes, the music department and music students will share the fruits of their hard work in the name of cultural enrichment. However, Year of the Arts has centered much on the visual arts. According to the the Year of the Arts calendar, twenty four events were celebrating or related to the visual arts. On the other hand, there were only sixteen events celebrating the art of music, six of which are annual events for the conservatory. Not much has been said about why music matters or what it can teach.

Many students view music as spiritual

Freshman Randall White, a music education major, links music’s significance with his faith.

“Music is a gift from God that is meant to be shared,” White said.

Junior Joel Balzun, a music composition major, uses the gift of music to celebrate God’s glory. In doing so, he is able to preserve and share it to a changing audience.

For many students, including Balzun, music is a spiritual experience.

“When you perform, it’s an offering to God if approached in the correct manner,” Balzun said. “That is not in a self-seeking way. By performing your best and wanting to perform your best, you give your best to God.”

Students with varied backgrounds

Senior Tyler Wigglesworth, a music education major, tenor and conductor, has put countless hours into practicing for his recital, which will consist of both singing and conducting. He sees the recital as more of a time to look back.

“I came in with not much training in classical music,” Wigglesworth said. “My recital is kind of a time where I’m able to use the gifts that God has given me. It is very much a reflection of how God has matured my skills and developed my skill through the music program at Biola.”

However, there are also those who have a musical background and education, but are not music majors, some of whom perform with the Symphonic Winds.

Bob Feller, conductor for the Biola Symphonic Winds, believes that music can teach many skills.

“No education is complete without music education,” Feller said. “Sitting quietly for an hour and a half throughout rehearsal develops discipline that could be critical later on in life.”

Feller also mentioned the pride and accomplishment that comes with achieving a goal through teamwork as life skills taught by music.

Sharing the gifts God has given

It may be obvious that music and performance matter to those seeking a profession out of it or simply perform for enjoyment. However, those without any musical background may not fully realize how significantly music matters to them.

“Learning how to appreciate music teaches us how to think about the world in a different way,” Balzun said. “It teaches us to find beauty in things that we normally wouldn’t. We can further appreciate God’s creativity.”

Feller also sees that understanding the significance of music and performance can also bring a deeper respect for others.

“Even if some walk off the street and listen to something they are not accustomed to, there is still a sense of appreciation for the diligence, effort and discipline for what the performers have done,” Feller said.

The students of Biola’s music program have dedicated much of their time into sharing the gifts that God has given them. The Conservatory of Music’s website lists upcoming performances and recitals for the month of May. Wigglesworth, whose recital is May 12, hopes that non-music majors will take the opportunity to see them.

“Go, see and experience what the artists are giving and bringing to the table,” he said.