Many of us subscribe to the “window theory”. At any given moment in time, a window of opportunity is there for the grabbing. It is there for an individual or a group of individuals to jump through, if they were meant to do so. Now, mind you, they may choose not to. And then, the window closes. And maybe it closes for good! To make ourselves feel better if the latter is true, we say things like, “it just wasn’t meant to be”.
Consider, if you will, today’s “music”. Mitch’s Theatre Arlington Director and Mentor, Todd Hart once said, “doesn’t anyone make actual music anymore?” He was referring to the fact that most music today is electronically added via computers. And also that not many artists have a bunch of musicians standing around in the studio while they sing and have it all recorded together.
Have you also noticed that much of today’s music sounds suspiciously the same? If you listen to the so-called “Top 40”, you know what I mean. And when you turn on your radio, you expect the same.
Not naming any names here, but many artists today are “media-created.” In other words, some record label and marketing agency creates a “persona” that is literally targeted for a certain group of people, usually young people. Their music is not meant to cross generations or please the public in general. That is not to say that there aren’t a lot of great artists and musicians and songs out there. There truly is.
But is there one with mass-appeal? Is there one that stands out? Is there one that you would be equally pleased and comfortable taking your ten-year-old or your ninety-year-old? Is there one that really is humble and wants to truly connect with and please their fans? Is there one whose window was open at just that perfect time? Funny you should ask.
This group didn’t expect you to fall at their feet, either. They came to the game humbly, with no expectations of future success, but certainly with all the tools necessary for it. They chose as their launching pad a musical style that, when you hear of it, a cappella, you immediately think of college groups singing show tunes or four old men in funny striped jackets and skimmer hats.
But that’s what a cappella was for PTX; a launching pad. And oh yes, the Sing Off was definitely a launching pad. Now, the ratings for the show weren’t great during the show’s third season, or even the previous two. Network executives decided, in the short-term, to not have a fourth season.
But you (their fans) already knew what was there and what was coming! You saw that If Pentatonix could do what they did with an entire array of songs from the show, well….
So now, in the modern era, a cappella has now come to mean “without instruments” and not just show tunes and skimmer hats! When you’re standing in a concert venue or listening to your iPod, you hear the real deal! You hear music that you swear cannot be coming from just humans! But now you’re a believer, aren’t you? You know that Pentatonix can take any song and do what they do!
You feel your heart race and pound, you jump up-and-down, and you feel that percussion coming from the stage. You hear those angelic voices! Your heart is lifted! And you come away tired from singing along, with several songs in your head, all at the same time!
But…..why? Why now? Perhaps because at this time in history we need it. We want to believe that they’re in the game for the pureness of the music and the soul. We want to believe that there is something we can believe in that is right and humble and appreciative of our admiration. And it’s real! We don’t want to read ten years down the road that it was all just an illusion. We want to share this phenomenon with our children and our parents and grandparents.
Pentatonix is a light. And it just keeps getting brighter and brighter. If you look at their Facebook page, you will see fan comments from all over the U.S., Canada, South America, Europe, Iceland, the Philippines, Russia, China, and more. The world knows what’s real. And they’re coming toward it!
Case in point. NBC has elected to have a fourth season of the Sing Off! Why? You know why! Perhaps they were caught up in “The Light” as well. Maybe they saw what you see. That you can trust Pentatonix to be true to their roots, their music, and mostly, to their fans.
Could we be witnessing something truly extraordinary in music? The world seems to think so!
