"Music takes us out of the actual and whispers to us dim secrets that startle our wonder as to who we are, and for what, whence, and whereto."
-Ralph Waldo Emerson

In today’s society, cultural heritage is not restricted to material manifestations, like monuments and objects that have been preserved through the years. This idea also encompasses existing expressions and the traditions that myriad groups and communities all around the world have inherited from their ancestors and continue to pass on to their offspring lack This intangible cultural heritage is the mainspring of our cultural diversity and its upkeep is a security of our enduring creativity.

Through oral traditions and expressions, the performing arts, social practices such as rituals and festive events, traditional craftsmanship, and the transmission of knowledge and practices, our musical cultures continue to strive and keep alive the heritage of those before us. In this way, we are carrying on in their footsteps and keeping alive that which makes us who we are.

Music is constantly recreated from generation to generation and between changing/growing groups and communities. In response to environment, a groups’ interaction with nature, or their history, music gives a people a sense of identity, security, and permanence and promotes a true respect for differences and self-expression.

As times change, however, multiple aspects of the intangible cultural heritage behind the beauty of music is becoming more and more endangered, due to effects such as globalization and uniformity. The old appreciation and understanding of truly wonderful music seems to be morphing into some new form, certainly unrecognizable to me.

As a united culture, we need to realizethe purpose and truly priceless worth of cultural expressions and practices. Such elements have opened the door to new methods to the understanding, protection and respect of the cultural heritage of humanity (and it’s invaluable musical traditions). This living heritage provides every bearer of such wealth a sense necessity and meaning, insofar as he or she takes ownership of them and constantly recreates them. So in the words of pop singer Rhianna, “Please don’t stop the music”.