Shifting times seem to be the usual state of things these days. Thinking about and working through the changes such situations bring is something musicians face and consider in their work, too.

Here are aspects of shifting times and living in them through music.

A new month, a new year, a new chance to write your story. 

How do you greet the new year? 

December is a time which invites reflection. That is true wherever you might be, and whatever else may be going on.

December can also be a time of many things to get done, holidays to celebrate, gatherings to attend, travel plans, resolutions for the coming year...

Each of those activities will benefit from a bit of space, a bit of time for reflection. That may come before, during, after you take part, of course—and music is a fine way to invite reflection and a fine companion alongside quiet consideration, as well.

Recipe for Viennese Vanilla Crescents at the end!

I’m natively from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, but for five years, my husband and I lived in southwest Michigan. My husband has family that live in the area, and Fernando and I were newly engaged when we first settled in the Kalamazoo area in 2009. I started attending Western Michigan University in 2011 for my master’s degree, and we got married that same year in the fall. As a graduate student, you’re limited with time off because of academic commitments, but we didn’t mind delaying our honeymoon at all. 

“There are two ways of spreading light: to be the candle or the mirror that reflects it.” - Edith Wharton

Refugees, Self-Reliance, Development: A Critical History by Evan Easton-Calabria, published by Bristol University Press, offers a comprehensive exploration of the complex relationship between refugees and their experience of integrating in new communities. 

2023 has been an amazing year for gaming, with the release of two of some of the most favorite games of the decade, Baldur's Gate 3, and the long-anticipated sequel to Zelda: Breath of the Wild, Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom. There have been many other beautiful games released this year, but these are getting by far the most praise—and for good reason. 

Music for Shifting Times: that is what we have chosen to call this series.

One of the ideas behind it was that music—especially the sorts of music we share with you here—can offer ways to help you reflect on these changes.