Why music? Why song?

Quotes on Music:

“Music is for the glory of God and the refreshment of the human spirit.”  – J.S. Bach

“Musical training is a more potent instrument than any other, because rhythm and harmony find their way into the inward places of the soul, on which they mightily fasten, imparting grace, and making the soul of him who is rightly educated graceful.” – Socrates

“I would teach children music, physics and philosophy; but more importantly music; for in the patterns of music and all the arts, are the keys to learning.” – Plato

“If I were not a physicist, I would probably be a musician. I often think in music. I live my daydreams in music. I see my life in terms of music.” – Albert Einstein

“If music be the food of love, play on.” – Shakespeare

Quotes on Song:

“To write great music, the musician must make his life a great song….” – J.S. Bach, 1685 – 1750. Master Composer.

“Singing has always thrilled me. As a schoolchild, singing brought me more joy than anything. I was rather shy and awkward but choral singing gave me solace and confidence.” – John Rutter, Composer. 

“To sing, you need a voice and a song. A voice is about you, and a song is about words. Your words have power… Learning is intricately connected to language. Singing harmonizes language with melody, rhythm, and harmony – a powerful hybrid, a celestial consonance.” – Justin Hockey

“Good musicians… listen, sing, compose, and play.” – Justin Hockey

“If you can walk you can dance, if you can talk you can sing.” – Zimbabwean Proverb.

“Teach music and singing at school in such a way that it is not a torture but a joy for the pupil; instill a thirst for finer music in him, a thirst which will last for a lifetime.” – Zoltan Kodaly, Influential Music Educator.

“To teach a child an instrument without first giving him preparatory training and without developing singing, reading and dictating to the highest level along with the playing is to build upon sand.” – Zoltan Kodaly, Influential Music Educator.

“Singing is such an excellent thing, that I wish all people would sing.” – Richard E. Byrd

“As long as we live, there is never enough singing.” – Martin Luther, Reformer and advocate of congregational singing.