To many, music is no more than a random assortment of frequencies carrying little meaning beyond the entertainment it provides; however, for others, it’s far more than that. Music is a means of expression containing more substance as a whole than the sounds it is composed of. It is a way to express lived experiences, an abstract form of storytelling that encompasses the ever-changing world we live in. From modern pop icons like Beyoncé and Taylor Swift, to early rock pioneers like Buddy Holly and Led Zeppelin, to the groundbreaking jazz innovations of Louis Armstrong that began the cultural revolution of modern music, each has contributed to the ever-evolving soundtrack of human expression.
Since the early days of jazz and blues in 1900s New Orleans, music has served as a medium of expression for Black Americans, reflecting both personal experiences and broader social struggles. In the Jim Crow era, these genres became subtle yet powerful ways of challenging the racial hierarchy, asserting cultural pride, and giving voice to dissent against the status quo. From the Jazz Age in New Orleans to the Harlem Renaissance in New York, this era truly laid the foundation for the music we know today.
While jazz and blues gave rise to modern music a century ago, its role as a form of expression continues to evolve and impact the daily lives of students at Laguna Beach High School. It provides the soundtrack to our lives, setting the mood for the day. With music accessible at our fingertips, it’s rare to see a student walking the halls without AirPods in, tapping to the beat of their favorite song. For Christian Hamelberg, an 8th grader, music is central to his identity. When I asked him what his favorite song is and what it means to him, he told me: “I like loud music, especially the song Pop Out by Playboi Carti. It hypes me up for sports and gets me excited for my day.”
This feeling also resonates with Cam Hennesey, a sophomore at LBHS. When I asked for his favorite song, he said, “I enjoy the artistry of BadFish by Sublime. The groovy bassline and chord changes give me summer vibes. The message of resisting temptation resonates with me, especially in the age of social media.” When I asked for closing thoughts, he told me: “Music is more than just a rhythm and a mumble of words, it has a whole deeper meaning underneath… one song can make you want to cry in your bedroom while another makes you want to go to the beach. Music always sets the mood for me.”
This truth isn’t limited to students. I interviewed my mom, Kat Gianesin, and asked her what music means to her. She told me, “Music for me has always been something safe and secure, and no matter what situation I’m in, a good song can flip the script and make a bad day better.” I’ll admit I’m biased, but I couldn’t agree more.
From the streets of New Orleans a century ago to the hallways of LBHS today and beyond, music remains what it has always been: more than sound, more than entertainment. It is the language of human expression, an abstract art form with endless applications and a strong part of our culture here at LBHS.
