Humbled by A Student’s Words

April 20, 2018

I got a 2-page letter from a student today. Letters from students don’t happen very
often. This one was really humbling and, to some degree, compelled me to rethink
what I do, why I do it, and the power of what I do. The student had listened to my
album “Multiplicity” but was particularly drawn to a track called
Stop.Listen.Reflect. She went on to say that she was in a difficult emotional state,
but hearing that song “helped me, it truly helped me breathe and calm down”. She
then wrote briefly about the importance of music in her life (she’s not a music
major) and the power of music to move people and to help us process our emotions
in a way that language cannot.

Wow. This is powerful stuff. After reading the student’s letter I was dumbfounded.
I take for granted what I do and what I apparently have. Admittedly, I generally
compose and perform for very personal – even downright SELFISH – reasons. The
little time I have available to compose and perform allows me to develop that little
corner of my brain reserved for creative activity. I also do it as an outlet to balance
the stress of work. I forget that what I do has the power to affect people in
significant or substantial ways. I forget that I have some training, wiring, artistic
vision, and physical skill that allows me to notate, create, and perform music that
has tremendous potential. Potential to lift someone’s spirit, to alter someone’s
outlook, or to simply fill moments with beauty, sorrow, hope, or a myriad of other
ideas or emotions. Only a small percentage of the population has that ability.

It’s easy to lose our sense of purpose when we’re often just trying to do our job,
getting things done that need to be done. We sometimes feel we’re not making a
difference, or we’re just going through the motions. This student’s letter was a
wake-up call, a reminder that what I have to offer is important. Further, it
highlights the importance of music in our lives. It CAN change us, our outlook, our
society, and our world. Music creators have that gift to speak a universal language.

As I was composing Stop.Listen.Reflect., it was my intent to create something

beautiful. I wanted to see what my idea of beauty was. What would that sound
like? I rarely embrace my own compositions, nor do I care, because it’s been the
act and process of creating that interest and drive me. But, after composing and
recording Stop.Listen.Reflect., I sat back and did just that. I stopped. I listened. I
reflected. I was content. I felt like I had captured beauty (though I’m still not happy
with the recording). So that was that. Done. Time to move on. However, it took a
student to remind me that the piece really meant something on a deeply personal
level. The music has a life of its own. It lives on. It continues to have potential
meaning or value for a listener somewhere, in a way that I may never know.

The student’s letter went on to say that music is “magical and that people who
create it have magic in them and you are one of those people. You deserve to know
that. You have given the world a wonderful thing by sharing your gift. My heart
and soul thank you for that”. Her postscript states “please never stop creating and
expressing yourself”.

This was a wake-up call. I do have a responsibility. What I do is important and can
impact lives. It took a STUDENT to remind me of this. I’m humbled.

The composition “Stop.Listen.Reflect.” can be heard on my Spotify Page (Stephen Weber).