Carla Villanueva

Professor Kane
English 115 mw
31 October 2016

E2.1:The Power of Music

Though people do have different perceptions of reality, people are able to create a
composite reality through music in which they can interact productively. Music brings people
together because it transcends beyond their differences and develops their shared interest. A
specific band to represent this is a capella group, Pentatonix, which they represent five very
different vocal ranges and personalities that come together to make music. Through their unity as
a group, they are also able to create unity amongst their fans as they go to their concerts to
experience what they have created together. As music penetrates almost every aspect of our
lives, it certainly affects the quality of the life we live.
In such a diverse world where different perceptions of reality often clash, music goes past
language barriers and unites people of all cultural backgrounds. Through music, all people come
together to make the world a more harmonious place to live in. As Plato said, music gives soul
to the universe, wings to the mind, flight to the imagination. Music is such a universal
experience that a study by the University of Exeter and Tokyo University of the Arts has found
that songs from around the world tend to share features that promote bonding and coordination
amongst social groups. At any given event, music is most likely to be playing in the background
because it is such an integral part of our culture.
A capella group, Pentatonix, show this unity with themselves as they use their differences
to make music. This group consists of five very different people with various personalities,
cultural backgrounds, and perceptions of reality. With each member bringing a unique sound to

the table, Pentatonix is able to create invigorating music different than any other artist, as the
only instruments they use are their vocals. Their various vocal ranges coming together in such a
harmonious way has certainly proven to have been a catalyst for their extremely successful
career. With creating unity amongst themselves, they have also created a community with other a
capella groups. Arai and Pedlar (2003) said that ...the coming together of people around
meaningful leisure is a potent illustration of community community of celebration (192).
They often do collaborations with other artists to strengthen their community and to further enjoy
their love for music. Utilizing their different vocal ranges, they are able to unite and accomplish
their one goalto make music.
Through this music that is created by their unity, they also create unity with their fans. As
Justin Tyler Harmon states, As fans become more deeply immersed in the subculture
surrounding their favorite group, they can come to form meaningful relationships with one
another, oftentimes referred to as community(31). When fans go to a Pentatonix concert, they
are all there to enjoy what the group has created and form a community amongst themselves. By
being surrounded by what they love, their bond with each other grows more as their connection
with the musical group.