This word originally appeared in my Fall 2017 Harvard Crimson column, "Difference Tones," which can be found here. One of my favorite pieces of music is a short text by viola player and writer Martine Thomas ’18. The piece is titled “path”: 1 leave all possessions behind 2 walk out side 3 pick a straight path 4 listen for where you are 5 do not open your eyes when you feel afraid do not open your eyes when you lose a sense of place 6 open your eyes only when you think you hav

This word originally appeared in my Fall 2017 Harvard Crimson column, "Difference Tones," which can be found here. When we are looking death in the face, we will not take up our musical instruments. But, when death seems far from us, what will remind us, prepare us, for the work needs to be done when death comes? Why has music endured? Certainly, humanity’s enjoyment of music is clear. But amidst rising social, political, and natural conflict, the significance and influence o