Language is part of our daily lives, no matter where we live in the world. Similarly, music is a part of many people’s lives. 【小题1】 Here are some of their similarities.

Both language and music have a writing system

In English we record language using the alphabet, which is a collection of letters. Similarly, we use notes to keep a record of music. Just as you are reading this collection of letters on the paper and find meaning in it, musicians read notes and create meaning in the form of music which we can hear. 【小题2】 For example, we can read the ideas or hear the composition of someone who lived hundreds of years ago, which is really quite exciting.

Both vary with culture

【小题3】 In the same way, we know that styles of music are different around the world, which gives us the opportunity to explore many different cultures through their music. This also means that there is something for everyone! Even if you don’t like Britpop melodies, you may love the energy of Latin American salsa music.

Both share emotion

How do you know that I am angry? 【小题4】 Similarly, music can sound angry, sad or happy. Music can show you exactly how the composer was or is feeling, and allows us to share that emotion. When you feel happy, you might want to sing and dance to a happy song. 【小题5】

I’d never heard of the yangqin — an 17th century Chinese stringed instrument(弦乐器) — until this past Sunday, when I had the pleasure of hearing Eastman graduate and music artist Wenzhuo Zhang 20E(MA) perform on it in a concert.

Wenzhuo, a Chinese native, began her training on the yangqin at age five. When she was only 13, Wenzhuo was awarded a scholarship to the Arts School of Hebei Province. After graduation. she placed first in the nationwide competition and was admitted into the National Academy of Chinese Theatre Arts in Beijing, where she was awarded her bachelor’s in yangqin performance in 2005. She received her doctor’s degree from Boston University in music education in 2015 and studied at Eastman from 2017 to 2019. Wenzhuo has performed many times and won countless awards for her performances.

Before Wenzhuo performed five pieces on her yangqin, she introduced a brief historical background, and discussed its continued usage up to the present day. The yangqin was first used in Chinese folk music performance and operas. Later, under Mao Zedong, the yangqin slowly became a little popular. Performances began to be supported by the state, and yangqin performers were given a path to higher levels.

Wenzhuo performed four pieces going back to centuries ago, and one piece from the modern time. Needless to say, Wenzhuo’s performances sounded splendid. The yangqin is a unique and beautiful traditional instrument, and its sound is wonderful. It was nice to learn about the yangqin and a joy to watch Wenzhuo perform on it.

I'm sure you know the song "Happy Birthday". But do you know who wrote the song and for whom it was written？

The retired professor, Archibald A. Hill in Lucasville, USA could tell us the story. Ninety-seven years ago，two of Mr. Archibald Hill's aunts，Miss Patty Hill and Miss Mildred Hill were asked to write some songs for a book called "Song Storied for the Sunday Morning". Miss Patty Hill and Miss Mildred Hill were both kindergarten teachers then. They loved children very much and wrote many beautiful songs for the book. One of them was the famous "Good Morning to You." The song said，"Good morning to you，good morning to you，dear children，good morning to all." This song was very popular at that time among kindergarten children. But not many grown-ups knew it. A few years later little Archibald was born. As his aunt，Miss Patty Hill sang the song "Happy Birthday" to the melody（曲调）of "Good Morning to you" to her little nephew. She sang the song like this：Happy birthday to you! Happy birthday to you! Happy birthday, dear Archie! Happy birthday to you!

Miss Patty Hill and her sister had never expected that this song would become so popular，but it really did. People all over the world like the song because of its simplicity in tune（曲调）and friendliness in words.