Photo courtesy of Effie Goebeler ’29
Every other day, the entire Upper School gathers to make music in the Chapel. Music is a major part of every member of the Episcopal Academy’s lives, and the EA community listens to all sorts of music. It affects everyone, and because there are so many different genres, everyone connects to music in unique ways.
According to an Instagram poll completed by the Scholium, EA students are currently listening to songs by Sienna Spiro, Olivia Rodrigo, Ariana Grande, Bella Kay, PinkPantheress, The Beatles, Tae Retro, The Velvet Underground, Tame Impala, Bon Iver, Malcolm Todd, Djo, Alabama Shakes, Hiatus Kaiyote, Esperanza Spalding, Audrey Hobert, Rihanna, Lorde, and Ninajirachi.
Douglas Parsons, Upper School English teacher, shares that his music taste, and love of the medium, comes from his childhood, when he would listen to the radio. “I love all kinds of music but my favorite is acoustic guitar singer-songwriter stuff with beautiful harmonies, because that was the first stuff I heard when I was a kid,” he says. Parsons’ favorite song is “Operator” by Jim Croce, another song from his past, and he shows that music is always a part of someone’s identity. One of EA’s very own musicians, Connor Myers ’27, further explored music this summer by writing some of his own songs. “I am a musician myself, and I feel like there’s certain musicians that I look up to that almost tell a story in a song,” he says. “And I think that’s pretty cool.” He explains that his interest in music is partly through creating it, an incredible but difficult creative outlet.
Additionally, the general consensus at EA is that live music is a different experience entirely. Going to a concert is something that many students at EA have experienced, and students agree that live music is completely unlike listening to it on streaming services. Myers says, “I like live music a lot, so going to concerts is really fun to connect with people and see musicians on stage.” His favorite song is currently “Afraid of Heights” by boygenius.
Ksenya Wong ’28 says her favorite music includes anything by Olivia Dean, and that she was able to experience her music live. She agrees that live music is an important and exciting experience for everyone,“I got to go to an Olivia Dean concert in Baltimore, Maryland over the summer. It was definitely a highlight!”
Photo courtesy of Kamau Kegler ’27
Lilly Rorer ’30 also speaks about experiencing a connection through music, sharing, “I went to a camp, and that entire camp is just filled with people bonding over music.” This shows a direct correlation between music and genuine relationships. Many EA students connect over similar music taste, and music always inspires connection. Rorer’s favorite song is “Hold the Line” by Toto.
Ryan Dankanich, Middle and Upper School Music teacher, expresses his goal of continuing to listen to different music: “I’m constantly listening to music, trying to discover new music whether it’s working with someone or hearing it on the radio.” Dankanich explains that after jazz, R&B is his favorite genre, his favorite song being “Party City” by Ser Warn, because “it’s so soulful and so human.”
Music is essential to life, and Abigail Bayru ’28 even says, “I listen to music everyday while I’m working out or while I’m reading; and I physically can’t do anything without music.” Music has become fully intertwined with her life, especially the song “Sofia” by Clairo, and many other EA students agree with Bayru’s need for music. Music makes tedious activities become bearable and even fun, because boring tasks are always better with a good soundtrack.
Music is a part of the small and big moments in life; a unifier of people who would otherwise have nothing in common. It’s an incredible form of art and expression, to listen to or to create, and the experiences of EA’s community members continue to prove this.