Return to blogOn his last day, Pope Benedict XVI was widely quoted as saying “May the College of Cardinals work like an orchestra, where diversity — an expression of the universal church — always works toward a higher and harmonious agreement.”
I am grateful to Pope Benedict for drawing the world’s attention to the symphony orchestra. I wish that he had elaborated, and dispelled the misconception that an orchestra’s beautiful blended sound is easy, routine or inevitable. Here are just a few of the valuable skills that enable musicians to reach such high levels of collaboration.
Listening – Even while playing an extremely demanding passage a musician never isolates himself; he still saves sufficient awareness to hear how the entire ensemble sounds. This hearing is so discerning that the musician will immediately make subtle changes to improve composite sound. If people in every walk of life could stretch their awareness in this way there would be less tolerance for the cacophony that reverberates through the halls of even the most high-minded institutions.
Negotiation – Musicians are confident in their flexibility. They’re capable of making hundreds of ultra-sensitive adjustments to their sound. They use this skill to carry out high-speed real time negotiations with their colleagues. How sharp or flat is this pitch now? Should I adjust higher or lower? Do I need to play louder or softer? Everyone understands that unity is the goal. There is no place for ideology.
Alignment – The greatest satisfaction for a musician is being part of a superbly aligned performance. Whenever that seems within the ensemble’s grasp people drop everyday concerns with self- importance, dominance, defensiveness or self-esteem in recognition that service to the work is always greater than the people who are given the chance to carry it out.
The Pope was right to cite the orchestra as a model. Music can provide such a rich metaphor for life that it presents unlimited ways for The Music Paradigm to illuminate our behavior, and to inspire us with a picture of what we might be.
Roger Nierenberg
Very interesting post!