Sonar: noun , a system for the detection of objects under water and for measuring the water’s depth by emitting sound pulses and detecting or measuring their return after being reflected.
Lent gives us the opportunity as Christians to look inward. As it is often a quiet and reflective time, one might question why we would have a concert series during this season. One might think something of this sort would actually be in complete antithesis with an inward process. So, today I offer the answer to this question: why is Trinity offering a concert series… during Lent?
First, let’s start with Trinity’s connection to music. Trinity has a long-established connection to the importance of music. Through funding from the Jobst foundation, it shows in it’s support and commitment to offering a bolstered music team to engage in the art of music during our services. Our heritage saw the importance of the gift of music, and left us the ability to curate a high quality musical expression each week. So, there’s that.
Also, the wonderful thing about music is that there are many expressions of it. There are so many different genres of music throughout this world that even the most experienced and studied musicologists won’t ever be able to hear and experience all of them. With so many different expressions, the reaction one can have internally to the various different kinds of music can highly vary. Not all music means the same to all people, and not all people have the same reaction to a singular piece of music. Sure, I think music can be understood from a theoretical space by all, but that does not mean it affects us all the same.
For example, there is a type of music in an eastern tradition where there are two tones played at the same time in very close pitch proximity to the other. One with the lens of western culture would hear this and could interpret it as something dissonant, or unfavorable to the ear. However, in this eastern tradition, these two tones represent the divine masculine and feminine energy dancing together; same sound, different lens, different interpretation.
People also use different music for different things. For example, for Heather to focus, she needs coffee house style jazz on her computer, accompanied by a soft warm light. I, on the other hand, need bright light and lo-fi beats or dramatic video game soundtracks, (mainly nothing that has words or I’ll start singing..) to focus. People also find music to lead them into different forms of meditation. There are countless playlists on Spotify of meditation playlists that help people find their center. For others, being a part of a rhythmic drum circle is better.
So this year, we present SONAR for these reasons. Trinity gives the opportunity to choose music as your Lenten journey. When was the last time you stretched out of your known music? There might be something else new you find that allows you to access a part of yourself you didn’t know needed accessing. A brass quartet, TSA Steel drums, an organ/classical concert, a singer songwriter night, and a Trinity music team Broadway night are all on the docket. Come try something you haven’t listened to in a while, or maybe even at all. May these sounds help you find something within you.
Making a joyful noise,
Chelsie Cree (she/her)
Director of Music and the Arts