COLUMN: Living in surround sound

From: Andrea Ahles', "Hawaiian Style," Fall '97 From: Andrea Ahles', "Hawaiian Style," Fall '97 A person sitting and playing a piano is a common occurrence. In the movie Shine, most scenes consist of the main character, David Helfcott, playing the piano. And in watching this film, I could not help but experience the range of feelings evoked by the different music heard throughout the movie -- the sense of passion, depression and happiness. The music subtly underscores what is seen in Shine. It also told me more than I realized about the scene. In heightening my sensitivity to the action, my emotions were manipulated to feel what the characters were going through. The classical music spoke for the character and itself. Often times, I found myself overwhelmed by the attack on my visual and aural senses. The beautiful soprano aria bringing closure to the movie made me want to buy another ticket just to see and hear it again. Music is a thread throughout my life, tying everything I do together. Different moments in my life are remembered by what music was playing at the time or by a song that might remind me of it. I remember important occasions, events and experiences with music -- memories of my eighth-grade dance, for example, are triggered by "Stairway to Heaven." Today, most popular music is typically associated with something other than just the music. A low bass playing DA DUH?DA DUH?DA DUH DA DUH DA DUH precludes a shark preparing to attack at any moment. Chanting "We will rock you" conjures images of various sporting events. And, yes, "YMCA" is now associated with bears coming of age during a Super Bowl Pepsi commercial. All of these songs have multiple connotations. The power music has to make someone feel on another level of what they're experiencing is immense. The excitement of a Quakers football game is that much more exhilarating when singing "Hang Jeff Davis" after a Penn score. People naturally start humming, not necessarily any particular tune, when they are happy. Why? Because the music shows everyone just how much happier they are. Like many people, I like to put music on whenever I'm doing work or just as background noise when I'm talking to a friend. But then there are times when I just like to listen to the music and do nothing else, letting it overcome me. Not only does music evoke particular emotions in people, it can also be therapeutic in changing a person's mood. When I'm mad, angry or frustrated about something, it's easy to take my aggressions out on the piano by playing a fast and furious piece. Some people play upbeat music on their stereo to get them out of a depressing mood. Music is everywhere. It's heard in movies, on the radio, in department stores and in most showers. It's part of our every day lives. It is not something limited to one group of people, but is available for everyone. It can't be escaped. But why would someone want to escape it? The additional beauty music brings to everything is integral to life. Although some music may be associated with bad experiences, they are still part of life. That doesn't mean the music is bad; it's just a reminder. I can't imagine what it would be like to not have music. There would be no marching bands to play during basketball timeouts. Movies would only have people talking and action explosions. (How imposing would Darth Vader be without The Imperial March?) And there would be no Christmas cards that play "Jingle Bells" when you open them. We need music to add that extra feeling to our life. The presence of music amplifies all experiences, whether it be a day at the beach, or a family dinner. The next time you sit down to do homework, put some Mozart on. Who knows? You may do better on an exam as scientific studies say. But more importantly, listen to the music you like, fitting the mood you are in and let the music overcome you.