How music pulls us out of ourselves

Patrick Henry College's Music Department held its annual recital in the Barbara Hodel Center lobby. Students perform on strings, voice, and piano. The recitals are a chance for students to perform their pieces for an audience of their peers, as a chance to create something beautiful, according to Dr. Kristina Tanner, director of the music program at Patrick Henry College.

Dr. Tanner emphasized the importance of performing well since it presents a unique set of challenges that are difficult to cover in practice sessions. Stage fright, the desire for approval, and the need to overprepare in advance can only be addressed in front of an audience.

Recital pieces ranged from traditional Irish and Norwegian songs to Christian hymns and arrangements of beloved musical numbers like “Merry-Go-Round of Life” by Japanese composer Joe Hisaishi, known for his film scores with Studio Ghibli. Adjunct Professor of Music Dr. Scott McCormick played violin for “Merry-Go-Round of Life” alongside ten students. Dr. McCormick was struck by the arrangement’s “hauntingly beautiful melodies” and by its synthesis of Asian harmonies inside the structure of a Western quartet, making the piece feel very contemporary. 

PHC's Music Department seeks to combine artistry and musical excellence with corporate worship and devotion to God. Music recitals also benefit the student body, temporarily pulling them away from their studies and allowing them to relax from the felt urgency of papers and exams. The musicians perform during the lunch hour, and students stop to enjoy music between classes. Dr. Tanner explained it this way: “It’s much easier to eat something if someone puts it down in front of you instead of you having to go cook it.” While academic performance is certainly important, students often struggle to keep their studies in proper perspective. Individual recitals, as well as chorale and orchestra concerts, help students to appreciate beauty and follow Paul’s command to meditate on good things in Phil. 4:7-8.

“Music pulls us out of ourselves,” Dr. Tanner said.

Lastly, music recitals prepare students to use their instruments later in life, whether in churches or for secular audiences. Music is not something you “keep in a practice room,” Dr. Tanner said, but a talent you use for the glory of God.

In addition to these informal recitals, the PHC Music Department presents concerts during the semester. This semester, PHC presented an “Autumn Splendor” concert in October, as well as the annual Lessons and Carols in December.

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 Patrick Henry College exists to glorify God by challenging the status quo in higher education, lifting high both faith and reason within a rigorous academic environment; thereby preserving for posterity the ideals behind the "noble experiment in ordered liberty" that is the foundation of America.