Playing for Change: Peace Through Music

I just saw a segment on Bill Moyers Journal on PBS. It was about Mark Johnson and Playing for Change. It is a movie that Johnson made over ten years, with many musicians, knitting together voices and instruments from around the world. It is also a movement to build music schools around the worl to help others learn to make music.

Music is a rich medium for communicating ideas, culture and emotions. Music gives us metaphor for understanding the world around us, and the ways in which we connect to others.

I am especially fond of the song Stand by Me, because it sings of supporting others by our presence.

at 15:37 in to the interview...

BILL MOYERS: Did anybody ever say to you, "Mark, don't be naïve"?

MARK JOHNSON: Oh, absolutely. Absolutely. But to me, naïve is thinking that there's any other choice. You know? The only choice we have is to come together. And to inspire each other because that's the way that we'll create a better world for us now and for the kids tomorrow.

And the other truth is, I mean, you know, a lot of people are living in a world of fear. But we don't even know how long we're going to be in this world. So there's really no reason to fear anything. The most important thing is while we're here, let's make a difference together. That's what Playing for Change is trying to represent.

Click over to the sites, and listen and watch.