Hi, I’m Spencer Christensen, and I’m from the Colorado Rocky Mountains—but more simply, Colorado. I am a Biology and Sustainability double major in my last semester at Principia College.
Music has been an integral part of my life, ever since I learned I could listen to it on my alarm clock radio. My taste in music expanded beyond pop music when I found out you could listen to songs on YouTube for free! It also helped to have two parents with very diverse musical tastes (Billy Joel vs. Metallica). Since then, I’ve enjoyed trying out a number of musical instruments over the years (piano, cello, ukulele) and sang in two select choirs in high school.
Though I’ve enjoyed the great musical works of the 21st century and some of the 20th century for the majority of my life, I have yet to become very familiar with the classical pieces they were built off of. As a result, I’m super excited to explore the classical music that influenced not only western music but also the cities we will be traveling to! I’m also excited to see how this music has influenced their development and culture over time.
I’m most excited to visit the Czech Republic, because I have always been captivated by central and Eastern European countries that have interesting and diverse blends of cultural influence, and I know the least about this country compared to Austria and France. I also have some friends from Czechia, and am excited to try all of their favorite Czech delicacies and visit all their favorite places in Prague!
Why is music important to society? Because it brings people/communities together, and amplifies various emotions and feelings that allow us to better connect and understand each other.