Hello!
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My name is Sydney Wagner and I'm a senior studying Communications & Media, English and Writing at the University of Michigan. As a freshman I was a member of the Lloyd Hall Scholars Program and participated in their creative writing club. I was hired to work as a marketing and writing assistant for Designs That Matter in Ann Arbor, Michigan. Most recently I acted as secretary for the Writer to Writer Literary Journal on campus and am currently fulfilling the role of submissions chair.
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I have been a writer and music-lover for as long as I can remember, and the Sweetland in Writing Minor Capstone was the perfect opportunity for me to combine the two into what became this passion project.
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The meaning of music (more specifically the intersection of music with mental health and the significance of live music) is something I have always been interested in exploring on an intimate level.
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As I thought about music and what it means to me, considering the reality that is my mental health and the state of the world during a global pandemic, I looked inside myself and found stories that I wanted to share. Songs I loved and reasons for that. Words that have stuck with me and why. Lines that have acted as relief to my suffering. Artists that have inspired and encouraged me through their projects. I found stories about falling in love with music in its purest form, live music, and what it has been like living without it.
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I looked outside myself and found stories about music acting as a type of cure for many ailments. I found stories of musicians who have discovered purpose in life through their work and the relationships they have with those that relate to it. I found stories of artists using the connection music forges between people as a means to assist the world in this time of illness and chaos.
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In short, I found proof that music has meaning because it serves as a refuge for those struggling with mental health, because it is a haven and a space of joy, because it encourages us to come to terms with our humanity and give back to the world when it is in trouble. Most importantly, because it makes us feel. It’s medicine.
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Music has meaning because we give meaning to music. In these stories, both mine and others, I have found this answer to my question. In many ways, it was already there.
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Thank you for listening.
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(Special thanks to T Hetzel and Aaron Burch for their direction and support during the making of this project!)
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