Vibrant Communities – Through Music. Because of Humanity.

As we enter another school year and approach this year’s Wisconsin State Music

Conference, we owe ourselves some time to reflect on what the theme of that conference means to us. “Building Vibrant Communities Through Music” looks different to each person depending on both internal and external forces at work.

I’d like to tell you a story - it’s a true story that happened in my classroom last spring. (Names are changed or omitted to protect the innocent…and the guilty.) In my first hour choir, GhostKor, we were rehearsing “Light Transforms the Darkness” from A Vision Unfolding, words by Shanelle Gabriel and music by Kyle Pederson. GhostKor is one of four curricular ensembles at my school. It meets first hour and is made up of SATB singers in grades 9-12. I will joyfully say it is a group of true “choir kids”...if you know, you know. Anyway, they had learned all of the basic music elements of the song - words, rhythms, pitches, harmonies, etc, etc. But, something seemed to be missing. I honestly thought the words spoke for themselves and they would just “get it” through the rehearsal process. So, I figured the lightbulb would go on and it would be sparkling. But, it just kept falling flat.

So, one day, after a particularly drab run-through, I asked one of my normal questions - “what does this text mean to you?” Immediately, Jimmy said “propaganda!” WHOA! There was a stunned silence. You see, the crux of the message of this piece is that all humans matter; all humans deserve love; and all humans can be light for others. Several things rushed through my mind in that moment - I had an immediate counter-argument to that student. However, instead, I took a breath and said “ok, well, that’s one take…and we WILL get back to that, but let’s see what other people have to say.” Josie raised her hand and said “this makes me feel like whatever I’m going through, whatever I’m feeling, I am seen.” Then Kaden said “it reminds me that I need to take time to see others…even when my perspective is clouded.” A few more students echoed these thoughts and that launched us into a wonderful conversation about the climate in our country right now (regardless of your leanings) and how politics has overtaken humanity.

We waded into what makes a functional society function and the place of each of those characteristics - currency, government, housing, food supply, healthcare, arts, education, and even politics. I then hit them with the truth bomb - this choir class is a microcosm of society. (I then had to define microcosm for them…LOL.) But, it gave them pause. In that one class, we had a rich diversity of family structures, socioeconomic status, religious beliefs, gender identities, future hopes/dreams, etc. And then that led us into a discussion of how important for each person in that room to be a seer and be seen - without bias (as much as we can with teens).

At the end of all of that, we (including Jimmy) came to the conclusion that the meaning of the text was that humanity…in all of its vibrant glory…is at the heart of all we do in a functioning society (even a microcosmic one like a choir). And you know what? The next run-through of that piece was sparkling. I saw smiles; heard inflection; felt love. We built a community. Through music. Because of humanity.

Community means many things to many people. And our perspectives on community can shift throughout our lives. In my experience, one constant seems to be music. In addition to my school duties, I also direct a choir at a local church. On the surface, those choir members appear to be vastly different from my singers at school. But, in reality, they are very much the same…I mean, basses are basses no matter what. But, they value the same humanity in each other. They care for and lift up each other, and find great fellowship and community in the Monday night rehearsals we have. And, they take great pride in the anthems we share during Sunday worship. They’ve also attended my high school concerts and musical productions. They may know a couple of kids in the groups, but it wouldn’t matter they were sharing in the community, and pride the kids feel as well. That has opened the door to conversations and sharing of humanity between generations. They’ve built a community. Through music. Because of humanity.

My grandfather always said “no one makes it through this world alone”. And that’s the truth. When we take the time

and effort and allow ourselves to build community in our classrooms, our towns, our state, our nation, and our world, we find the vibrant beauty in humanity all around us. Through music. Because of humanity.

Joy Paffenroth is choir director at Kaukauna High School. Email: paffenrothj@kaukaunasd.org

As published in the September 2025 edition of Wisconsin School Musician with permission from Wisconsin School Music Association.