Northern Santa Barbara County enjoys a diverse musical palette, a reflection of the diverse musical and cultural world we live in. But when was the last time you really stopped and pondered what music is, how it works, and what it’s good for?
To understand music, we must first understand sound. It’s nothing more than vibrations, some of which we’re able to hear. Everything is vibrating, resonating, and creating sound. Ever wonder why animals can hear an earthquake before it happens? Our Earth vibrates and produces a range of frequencies un-hearable to us, but maybe audible to some of our furry friends.
People have been aware of this phenomena since ancient times. Musica Universalis, which translates to “Universal Music” or “Music of the Spheres,” is a philosophic idea that came about in ancient Greece and believed that the heavenly bodies—the Sun, Moon, Earth, planets, and stars—all resonated and moved together, making a celestial harmony, or music.
To take this one step further, modern particle physicists postulate that atoms and quarks—all particles that vibrate—are made up of smaller super strings that also vibrate, this being the makeup of our universe. It may very well be that our universe is all vibration, echoing a cosmic music throughout.
All peoples of our humble planet Earth are musical. All cultures share singing, dancing, and drumming. We are an instrument making species, that is a fact. The Santa Ynez Band of Chumash Indians will be displaying some of the Chumash musical traditions at their annual powwow event (see page 28). The Chumash made rattles out of mussel shells, clapper sticks out of elderberry wood, and flutes out of deer bones.
Similar musical traditions can be found worldwide. Music and instruments may change, but the practices are very similar. Music has always served an entertainment and utilitarian purpose, for work and play. But one of music’s biggest uses is in sacred ritual. Most tribal cultures enter a state called trance when singing or playing music: opening a window to the other side, or making contact with The Other. Most religions have embraced music as a connection to God, though some have deemed it inappropriate.
Music can be recognized as a language in and of itself, and Western civilization has done much to pin down this language. Back to ancient Greece for a moment, the philosopher and mathematician Pythagoras discovered the relationship between frequency and ratio, the octave, and the basis for the scales we use today. It was the monks of the Catholic Church who revolutionized written notation, which eventually developed into the system we use today.
Written music allows a composer to relate a musical message with no more than a pen and paper. A composer may not speak the same language as the performer, but they can both understand the written music. Composers may also write music for various instruments, all to perform at the same time: symphony and choir. Their birth led to the explosion of music written purely for entertainment.
The Allan Hancock College Concert Band practices Western-style concert music, showcasing their skill at the upcoming fall concert (see below). Director Greg Stoll conducts the ensemble with the flick of his baton, controlling the tempo and mood of the music. In this case, the band acts almost as one instrument, and the conductor is the mastermind.
Music is important. Think of history’s great speeches; think of the orators’ voices. Remember the beginning of Martin Luther King, Jr.’s “I Have a Dream” speech? The way his voice raises, crescendos, and even phrases is affecting. Now think of the same speech in a dull monotone. Does it work? Would you feel the same way?
Because we are musical creatures, it serves us well to understand it. Music always reflects the time, place, and culture in which it’s created. Just stop and listen; there’s always plenty of music going on.
Music, art, and wine
Autumn Arts Grapes and Grains is a festival celebrating local art with displays by artists, art activities, a wine and beer garden by local wineries and breweries, delicious food, and live music Sept. 30 and Oct. 1 from 12:30 to 3:30 p.m. at the Abel Maldonado Community Youth Center, 600 S. McClelland, Santa Maria. More info: 925-0951, Ext. 247.
Collegiate concert
The Allan Hancock College Concert Band, under the direction of Greg Stoll, presents a diverse concert featuring selections from composers including Mancini, Bernstein, Williams, Sheldon, Rhodes, Shastakovitch, Duarte, Lowden, and Goldman. Hear overtures, suites, dances, and some big band favorites on Oct.1 at 7:30 p.m. at First Baptist Church, 2970 Santa Maria Way, Santa Maria. Cost is $10, $5 for seniors and students. More info: 922-6966, Ext. 3252.
Served hot
The Lompoc Concert Association presents a concert featuring the sizzling Dixieland jazz stylings of Southern Fried Jazz in concert on Oct. 1 at 7:30 p.m. at First United Methodist Church in Lompoc. More info: 740-3006 or lompocconcert.org.
Going tribal
The Santa Ynez Band of Chumash Indians presents the 16th annual Intertribal Pow-Wow event, featuring traditional Chumash music, dancing, healing, and socializing Oct. 2 from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. and Oct. 3 from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. at Live Oak Camp, Highway 154, Santa Ynez Valley. Cost is $5. More info: 688-7997.
Singing for a cause
Singers from Iglesia Ni Christo will present a free program titled “Singing for a Cause” featuring secular and Christian songs on Oct. 3 at the regular dinner time at Marian Residence on South College, Santa Maria. More info: 757-1637.
Get down at Addamo
The Addamo Tasting Room and Bistro presents “ROCK”tober! Wednesday nights during October featuring live music and a costume party, including a 1970s theme night featuring Time Furnace performing Oct. 5 from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. at 400 E. Clark, Old Orcutt. Free. More info: 937-6400 or bethany@addamovineyards.com.
Music at the Maverick
The Maverick Saloon in Santa Ynez presents DJ Totem on Sept. 29 at 9 p.m. The country music of Teddy Spanke and The Tex Pistols is on Sept. 30 at 8:30 p.m., followed by DJPJ at 11:30 p.m. Concert on the Deck is Oct. 1 at 3 p.m. Teddy Spanke and The Tex Pistols perform Oct. 1 at 8:30 p.m., followed by DJPJ at 11:30 p.m. “Tales From the Tavern” presents a special event featuring Eliza Gilkyson and John Gorka on Oct. 2 at 7 p.m. Tickets are available at 688-0383 or talesfromthetavern.com. m
Contact Calendar Editor Joe Payne at jpayne@santamariasun.com.
This article appears in Sep 29 – Oct 6, 2011.