Music
The Importance of Music
By: Levi Enderle
04/25/2025
Hi everybody, welcome to the second edition of the Griffin Post "Music" section! In our last edition, we discussed the origins of music and music genres throughout its history. But why is music important? Today, we will explore and discuss the importance of music throughout its history and learn why it is so important to cultures and individuals around the world today.
Music has been an essential part of culture since it originated around 40,000 years ago, having the power to affect society emotionally, morally, and culturally. Music is something only we humans can make. After all, it's a social activity, and humans are social creatures. Studies have suggested that playing music and singing can help bring people closer with the release of endorphins, your body’s natural mood boosters and pain relievers. Another way that music is important is that when people collaborate and use their talents, skills, and understanding to work together on something, a lot can happen. This makes sense because, since we are social creatures, we are going to want to socialize with other humans.
In addition to being impactful on cultures, music is also essential to individuals. We can use music to relax, express ourselves, and face our emotions. According to Savethemusic.org, “Music has the ability to deeply affect our mental states and raise our mood. When we need it, music gives us energy and motivation. When we’re worried, it can soothe us; when we’re weary, it can encourage us; and when we’re feeling deflated, it can re-inspire us.” This shows us the impact of music on our feelings and emotions, proving that music can help us significantly, offering us a chance to keep ourselves busy, relax, and even improve our mental health.
In conclusion, music is a force that brings people together and enhances our lives, individually and socially. It connects people and allows changes to be made. From entertaining to improving our mental health, music has always been helpful and always will be.
Sources:
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Huerter, Autumn. “How Music and Culture Work Together: Science Behind Music.” Music House School of Music, 26 Oct. 2020, www.musichouseschool.com/how-music-and-culture-work-together-science-behind-music.
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Peralta, Lia. “How Does Music Affect Society?” Save the Music Foundation, 31 Jan. 2024,
The Origins of Music
By: Levi Enderle
04/04/2025
Music has been around for approximately 40,000 years and continues to be important in cultures around the world to this day. It has evolved drastically since it was created, becoming a very important part of cultures around the world. Music allows people to share stories, express emotions, and keep their culture alive, but where did it come from?
Music originated around 40,000 years ago, likely for many reasons, such as having a way to express emotions, or for religious/entertainment purposes. Scientists have found ancient instruments such as flutes made of bones and mammoth ivory (a material found in a mammoth’s tusk), showing early musical development. In addition to early ancient musical instruments, when studying fossils, we have seen that our ancestors had a bone in their throat, similar to one we have, that likely allowed them to sing over 530,000 years ago.
We already talked about where music came from, but where do genres come from? When you hear music, one of the first things you think of is what type, or genre of music, you’re listening to. But where do these different genres come from? Genres like rock and roll originated in the 1950s in the United States of America and the United Kingdom. Other genres, like jazz, originated in the late 1900s to early 2000s and originated in African American culture. Some traditional music also originated from religion and past cultures, such as gospel, which is often played in Christian churches around the world.
In conclusion, music has a long and interesting history that shows how important it is to people around the world today. From ancient flutes made out of bones to the large variety of genres we have today, music has always played an essential role in connecting cultures, generations, and feelings
Sources:
Prasad, Aarathai. “When Did Humans First Make Music?” BBC Science Focus Magazine, 12 July 2023, www.sciencefocus.com/the-human-body/when-did-humans-first-make-music.
Musicians Institute. “The Evolution of Music Genres | Musicians Institute.” Musicians Institute, 10 Jan. 2024, www.mi.edu/in-the-know/symphony-change-tracing-evolution-music-genres.
Clark, Brian. “A Brief History of Music – From Origins to the Present Day.” Musician Wave, 29 Aug. 2023, www.musicianwave.com/history-of-music.
Gorlinski, and Virginia. “Gospel Music | Definition, Artists, and Facts.” Encyclopedia Britannica, 5 Mar. 2025, www.britannica.com/topic/gospel-music.
---. “A Brief History of Music – From Origins to the Present Day.” Musician Wave, 29 Aug. 2023, www.musicianwave.com/history-of-music.