What are we listening to?

Dear Friend,

Music is a language, the language of the soul. The textual content and the feeling content of any kind of music imprints directly on the soul. Any language can be spoken with words of wisdom and healing, or with rancor and spite. So as we select the music that we listen to in our homes, that our children will be soaking into themselves, what are we listening to? Is what spoke to us in our teenage years really the proper musical nourishment for young children? Is it overwhelming their senses, or is it drawing them out and helping them grow and learn about God’s Creation?

Phillipians 4: 8 states, “Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy, meditate on these things.”

We live in an age where we are bombarded with exactly the opposite of the “things” of this list, 24 hours a day.

So…what are we listening to?

This week in western Passion Week, I found myself drawn to listening to great choral works; Beethoven’s Missa Solemnis, Mozart’s Mass in C Major, and finally Bach’s wondrous St. Matthew Passion. Classical music has the capacity to elevate and to calm the soul in the face of any amount of outer turmoil, and the texts of these pieces also draw the soul close to God. (Every mass uses the liturgical text of the Catholic mass. The St. Matthew Passion contains the exact words of chapters 26-27 of the Gospel according to St. Matthew.)

If I had not been singing in choirs my entire life, I would never have been exposed to this music nor developed an ear for it. There are other genres of music that can also warm and uplift the mind, heart, and soul, but we may or may not find them on YouTube.

Those of you who homeschool are very particular about the books you select to read to your children and to have them read. A child’s musical diet also needs to be selected with care.

Simple folk songs (not politicized!)  and hymns contain all the right ingredients for children to learn about the elements of music, as well as passing down the experience of many generations through song.

I have been collecting heartwarming songs for children for many years, and am so pleased to be able to share many of them with you in our online courses.

Our latest course offering, Spring Frolic, is almost ready for release. We are excited to share the joyous songs and movement activities with today’s children. Stay tuned for more information coming soon!

To those of you celebrating this weekend, a blessed Good Friday today, and a glorious Easter Sunday!

Best regards,

Ms. Ruth