Russell Sam

Honors 394
December 9, 2021

Reflecting on my life as a Classical Musician through Capoeira

Dissonance: the first thing I noticed when the instruments started playing. A C natural

accompanied by a semitone between the natural and the sharp tingled a certain part of my

perfect-pitch brain that had never experienced anything considered so “unrefined”, as classical

musicians would call it. As a classical cellist for thirteen years and a symphony player for nine,

listening to the unfamiliar combination of intonations made me question the technique and the

ears of the players. But as the musical performance went on, I realized that it would be my own

beliefs on music that would be questioned. The dissonance slowly faded as more berimbau

voices joined in and melded together to create a singular polytonal voice. Each performer

received their chances to create rhythmic improvisations off of others, creating a pattern of

fluctuating energies that is so much harder to encounter in classical music. The swaying of the

bodies throughout the group mesmerized me into a state of flow that made me forget I was

hitting the agogo instrument I was handed by Mestre Silvinho, and I was quickly enveloped in

the most important aspect of music: community.

This course has constantly challenged so many of the beliefs that have been drilled into

me for years. From reading the published works of musical scholars that criticize the symphony

for its isolation and its barriers to entry, to talking with peers about experiences of the musical

hierarchy. The symphony today still conserves many of its traditional aspects that catered to the

bourgeoisie of the past that creates difficulties for the enjoyment by the majority of the public.

And while it is enjoyed by some select groups and the musicians themselves, very little

participation is involved from the audience, and there is little room for expressivity among the

musicians. This leads to the issue of the conductor and his control over how the pieces are

played, as well as the control of the composer over what the musicians play. Many have spoken
about their experiences with over-controlling conductors who enforce a musical hierarchy within

the orchestra. And there are many examples of how the composers themselves wrote pieces

that reflect this hierarchy, and sometimes not everybody enjoys the pieces. These two factors

make it impossible for anyone else within the performance hall to participate in their own way,

which makes it that much harder to observe the level of enjoyment that comes from the

symphonic performance itself. But all of the issues with the symphony can be connected to

other aspects of society as well. Why are formal dress codes enforced during awards

ceremonies or weddings? Why aren’t customers allowed to participate in a restaurant kitchen in

their own way? Do economic barriers to entry not apply to sports and pop/rock concerts? And is

there not a hierarchy of actors/actresses in Hollywood or characters on a screen?

So as I continue to question my own beliefs and the way I was raised within the musical

world, I have realized that the things that were taught to me through symphony are just as valid

as things that are taught through community music. I’ve learned responsibility and discipline,

respect and awareness, coordination and cooperation. While some conductors can be

controlling, great conductors are insightful and bring eye-opening perspectives to the music.

And while classical composers have strictly defined rules to the music they scripted, the music

itself should be respected as a phenomenal piece of art that inspires and challenges the

performers, which are qualities that can be enjoyed in itself. I’ve learned so much more

technique from playing and perfecting classical music than I would have playing pop song

melodies of today (no offense to pop music, it simply wasn’t designed for the cello). But the

most important thing that classical music has given me is a community of friends and family that

also enjoys classical music, and if staying in the symphony means that I can keep this

community, then I think that itself makes staying in the symphony worth it for me. And it’s okay

for some people in this class to disagree with me, after all, the slight dissonances in our

opinions are what make everyone unique within our community.