Orchestra vs.. Rock

            Ever since man struck objects with a club to make a rhythm, music has given harmony to anyone that can hear. From rhythmic beats to synthesizers, music flowed through time. It influences teens as they also flow through life. Whether they prefer to go to rock concerts to listen to their favorite artists or go to an orchestra recital to sink on that chair and relax determines their respect for music.

            Eager to listen to her favorite artist and with so much excitement sprawling in one day, the average teen dresses up for a rock concert — a bright colored shirt and demin jeans — to give her some attention for that night. She then joins her friends. Upon arrival, the silence before the show adds suspense in the audience waiting for the band to perform live on stage. Everyone soon jigs to the beat as the singer sings a fairly deep and emotional song that only took four months to write, while the guitarist paces back and forth, strumming his instrument. Then there is the keyboardist, jamming through those chords and the percussionist clouting randomly at those drums as if he wanted to mutilate the shark that tried to bite him one day while surfing. Through so much demand, few musicians attract thousands of fans as they listen to their three-minute deafening song and watch the cousin of fire’s blinding streams. Satisfied with all the thrill of being in the presence of a celebrity, the young lady leaves with their ears ringing, goes home, annoys her parents about the performance, and immediately downloads the songs to her MP3 player. To play that song would be a dream.

            Those who want to fulfill their dream will take a different approach than to attend concerts that would only deafen them. A not-so average teen realizes that when music becomes a vital aspect to their life, he will discover that music can be created and modified. As he prepares himself by dressing up, he goes to an orchestra performance, where he quietly finds his seat and waits patiently for the ensemble to begin their arrangement. Then the musicians walk in like an army of penguins ready for war, and the conductor as their captain, ready to smack flies in midair. Their melody ranges from a major scale, with the soft and satisfying sounds surrounding the space with swaying notes and providing a scene where light penetrates darkness. The minor scale darkens the enclosed chamber, terrifying the audience with harrowing pitches that only warns when danger arises. A well-thought out piece of art that has impressed audiences for over six centuries continues to share their style. After witnessing the awe of the performance, the teen will attempt to learn to play a classical instrument that will not only challenge him, but also give him a high sense of satisfaction after mastery.

            Whether teens prefer flares or the last six heavy downbeats at the end of each performance is their decision; however, they should respect the work and influence provided by orchestras. Different types of music may seem the same to some people, but to others, they are different worlds because of the following: the atmosphere of the event, how the music is played, who plays the piece, the work done to produce the song, and the impact that gives teens after listening to the selection. Genres are changing and sometimes the classics are the best. If orchestras never existed, then rock would never be heard by anyone, ever.