Student Reflection: Collin Edouard

Flowing Water: The Musical Connection during Our Performance Tour

Collin Edouard, Ph.D. Ethnomusicology ‘26

It is said that water is the most destructive force on earth. Working slowly over time, water carves terrestrial markings on our earth’s body. The connective power and lifegiving aspects of water and its ability to restore and activate healing seldom circulate in a discussion.  During our journey throughout Germany, we encountered several bodies of water, such as the Danube in Ulm, Neckar in Heidelberg, the Tiergartengewässer in Berlin,  and the Baltic Sea that seemed to connect us to where we left and places that await us. The lake, streams, rivers, and ponds seemed to accompany us to the Baltic Sea. Similar to the extremities of the smaller bodies of water starting from different locations, all members of Schola and Juilliard415 began their musical journeys at different times from various circumstances. All of our collected experiences led us to Germany — arguably one of the most formative segments of our lives. Our paths joined together to create magnificent music and lifelong friendships. It is no mistake that our journey as an ensemble mirrors several flowing bodies of water, eventually connecting as one larger unit. Thinking alongside poet E.E. Cummings’ work “As Is the Sea Marvelous,” I realize that the marvel of the sea is only possible because of the multiple bodies of water that flow into it. Therefore, every person involved in this performance tour was an invaluable asset to making this journey simply marvelous.