MUSIC FOR PEACE
by Katherine Anne Farnham
Hello everybody! Here are some thoughts about music and life that I hope may inspire you and give you food for thought (chocolate cheesecake in particular!).
We now live in a global economy, a global community and the Internet has dramatically shifted the way people communicate with each other on a day to day basis. Every culture has beautiful and unique things to offer. Every culture also has a unique way of living and looking at the world. We now have so much opportunity to learn about different approaches to life and creativity. What is different? What is the same? Is there anything that we all share? When there is conflict, how do we find the common thread that runs through each and every one of us?
Few things are truly universal, but I do believe that music is one of them. Music is one of the true universal languages. People all over the world play and listen to music and many cultures use music as part of their religious and/or spiritual worship. Everybody loves music!
When you struggle to master something creatively or even to perform a daily task to the best of your ability, there is a process you go through. A certain amount of conflict or struggle is natural and to be expected. Too much struggle and something may be wrong. Not enough, and more effort may be necessary. Why do we even do this? Because it feels great to finally master something and hear the results. We have a vision of an ideal that we yearn to reach and live up to and although we probably don’t reach it every day, with time and practice mastery is within the realm of possibility. However, an important point to remember is this: talent and aptitude are a wonderful beginning. But it’s the combination of talent and skill that makes mastery possible. When we develop our skills, a way or technique for doing something, we tweak and hone them each day, merging our creativity with our problem-solving capacity. We can develop great strength and maybe achieve things we never thought we could.
What is the difference between a good musical performance and a great one? What is the difference between just living and really co-existing peacefully? How good is our listening (to our own hearts, thoughts, our inner voices)? Can we even hear the difference right now? We need advanced skills to prosper in this global world. We need the training and the determination and the love to go beyond adequate and ‘good’ to great. I think each one of us is capable of growth.
Playing music without any passion or feeling, even if the notes are all correct usually doesn’t make for an inspiring or effective performance. Living life safely and never taking any risks probably is not good either. When we find the balance between our love and passion and our thought-process and discipline, there is harmony and maybe even art: in music, in life.
I think peace is possible. Not without struggle, but each one of us can strive for individual mastery and growth. Here’s to harmony: in music and in life! Now, where’s that cheesecake?
Thanks for reading. To listen to some music, visit www.musicforpeaceintl.com or www.myspace.com/katherinefarnham.
(c) 2009 Voice Inside Productions
About katherine farnham
With rave reviews in several languages, hundreds of original songs and equal doses class and angst, Katherine Farnham just may be the industry's most promising new artist. A consummate musician, Katherine combines a beautiful and haunting four-octave voice with a passionate and dramatic approach to the piano. Going a step further she writes prolifically of love, passion, hope and myth with a thoughtful integrity that both illuminates and entertains. Her sound is hypnotic, intoxicating, mysterious, ethereal. Throughout it all though, is a constant celebration of the strength of the human spirit. Her mission as an artist is to spread a message of love, compassion, and unity throughout the world.
Katherine has appeared on Good Morning America, NBC 6, Telemundo, The AT&T Amphitheatre and countless nightclubs and venues across the US. Her tracks have received airplay on college and commercial stations here and in South America. She graduated with highest honors from Boston’s Berklee College of Music.
Katherine grew up in Clarion, Pennsylvania surrounded by music. Her mother was the former Director of New England Conservatory’s Wellesley Branch and her father toured with The Boston Pops. Katherine performed her first vocal solo at age 5 and soon afterwards knew her calling. “My mom taught me piano, how to interpret a song, and how to present myself on stage. It was a challenge sometimes, but it was a very special relationship.” Katherine’s influences were Beethoven, Chopin, Barbra Streisand, Paul Simon, Carole King, Mariah Carey, Sarah McLachlan, Teena Marie, Seal, Jewel, John Mayer and others.
Berklee: Immersed in Sound
After studying at Tanglewood and rejecting the confining atmosphere of a music conservatory, Katherine found the freedom to explore her artistic voice at Boston’s acclaimed Berklee College of Music. Soloing with The Gospel Choir, forming her own band and graduating summa cum laude was no small task, but Farnham took it in stride and also won Berklee’s Performer Songwriter Competition. Her modest demo tape-turned-EP “For the Love of it All” was released to a full house at The Hard Rock Café. Featuring sensual photos and Katherine’s unique blend of jazz, pop and R&B, it garnered several CMJ charts, international radio airplay and a review from a MIDEM journalist and Latin Grammy Awards Consultant that she had what it took to be one of the top names in American Pop Music.
Music as Cultural Bridge: Miami’s Theme Song of Unity
Katherine's strength was put to good use as Katherine was asked to bridge inter-culture barriers. Her song “Mosaic”, found its way to the ears of Mayor Alex Penelas and other officials who had begun to launch Miami’s Mosaic Initiative. Katherine joined business, government and religious leaders from all over the state in the heart-felt quest to reach out and find common ground. After hundreds rose to give her a standing ovation at the Mayor’s Mosaic Convention, it became clear that this Midwestern Anglo girl had presented them with Miami’s long-awaited Theme Song. With the support of sponsors, Katherine was able to record and co-produce English and Spanish versions of the song. She performed it live for many major events, including the Miami Marathon with Tito Puente Jr. and MusicFest Miami with the legendary Celia Cruz.
Crafting A Golden Sound
Katherine's discography includes her critically-acclaimed debut EP "For the Love of it All", the bold, acoustic "Songs from the Troubadour" and the "Mosaic" single. Her latest studio project includes collaborations with several talented producers as well as the incomparable Doug Emery, (Barbra Streisand "Guilty Pleasures", Kelly Clarkson, Christina Aguilera). She has also worked with Grammy-winning studio professionals in Los Angeles. In 2009, she was chosen from over 4000 artists to appear on the AIM Compilation CD, recently released in Amsterdam.
Katherine proudly supports The American Diabetes Association and The Salvation Army. She has lended her time and talents to numerous charitable organizations and events and is listed in Who's Who in the World 2009.
To download FREE MP3's, visit www.katherinefarnham.com. For more info, visit www.myspace.com/
katherinefarnham or email musicalkatherine@rocketmail.com.
Comments are closed.