Why Music Matters
Written by Catherine Morris
An Opening Essay | MediaEd Insights | Music Education Edition | March 2026
You, like most of us, can probably point to a moment in time when music made all the difference in the world to you. Those of us who attended the Media Education Lab’s collaborative webinar with the Swifties for Hope were reminded of the impact music can have through the study of fandom and its intersections with politics. In his talk, David Cooper Moore invited us each to think back to our school days and reflect upon any experiences we’ve had with a teacher asking us to interact with music.
For many, like S4H’s Olivia Richard, this moment took the shape of a formal lesson, in which an assignment was centered around music and lyrical analysis. Livestream watchers told stories in the chat of their experiences incorporating music into their educational experience. Many of them reflected on the importance of a teacher who had painstakingly created a safe space for connection. For a young person, the joining of a hobby usually reserved for free time and their classroom learning can be powerful. I was reminded of the moment I usually point to as a turning point in my educational experience–one that incorporated music and our relationships to it, spontaneously, and with great impact.
For me, this moment took place the day after I had been to my first concert. I arrived at school in a concert tee, not ready to let go of the power in being in a room full of people joined together in something they’re all passionate about. That day, in English class, where I was tending towards apathy despite having grown up an avid reader, our teacher was suddenly side-tracked by my very cool John Mellencamp tshirt. Being of the same era, his instinct was to investigate whether I knew what I was wearing–and being both stubborn and righteous, I gladly justified my identity as a true fan. He suddenly had a frantically passionate energy that I can only think to compare to Robin Wiliams in the Dead Poets Society. For the entire 42 minute class period that day, we didn’t talk about Great Expectations or writing a literary analysis paper. Instead, he told us how important it is to find something we’re passionate about and chase after it.
One line that really stuck with me was, “Who cares if you fail a math quiz? You’re going to be alright. Life is long, and this is just the beginning.” Somewhere in that life-lesson-based-lecture, he told us the story of how he came to be an English teacher. Way back when, he had pursued a career in music. His first tour came to an abrupt end when his wife fell seriously ill. He abandoned his tour to be by her side, and he spent every day reading her Shakespeare, her favorite. He found a passion for it. And when she failed to recover, he was inspired to go back to school and follow a path to becoming an English teacher.
To a 14-year-old, this was devastating, inspiring – this was real life. Collectively, the class suddenly understood why, on our way out the door every day, he said, “tell somebody you love them.” This moment of connection changed the course of my life, and I was not the only one. I was reminded of this powerful moment at graduation when, as part of her speech, our valedictorian told the story of that day in 9th grade English class when Mr. Silva threw out a lesson plan in favor of reminding us what really matters in life.
This story is not unique. There is something magnificent about the power of music in bringing people together, beyond the barriers of day to day life. While formal musical education is imperative for many people’s development, it’s the casual connection from sharing the enjoyment of music as a human behavior, rather than a skill to learn, that can be therapeutic and transformative for young people and adults alike.
In this edition of the MediaEd Insights, you’ll find a collection of writings that reflect the wide range of impact music can have (and has had) on all of us. Olivia Richard (Swifties for Hope) reflects on the power of music and fandom in creating a political movement. Sarah Eckerstorfer writes about her firsthand experience using music and creativity to foster growth in young people in her community. David Gracon tells the story of building a lasting community based around sharing music. Joe Rubin reviews a book that looks at the roles of algorithms and capitalism in the music world. Ingrid Hu Dahl offers an excerpt from her new book that tells the story of facilitating a space for young people to engage with one another, through music. I hope these stories inspire you to reflect on the ways you’ve experienced life through music and how you might continue to do so with a conscious appreciation.
Comments(0)