The Silence Between Songs

Sydney Lee

Silence doesn’t last long at OCSA. Music is nonstop, whether it’s playing through headphones, echoing from DMS dance classes or in the minds of students as they move through their day. When music is not playing, the silence feels jarring for many students.

“Without music, I would probably die” is an anonymous student’s six-word memoir, posted on a wall in a current lit. & comp 1 classroom. The silence between songs is more than quiet; it’s in those moments of pause that our deep reliance on music becomes most apparent. With streams of content from platforms like TikTok and Instagram, many students have become accustomed to a constant supply of noise, and sitting in silence has become a foreign experience. 

“Music helps me process different experiences,” says Sophie Sukendro (IM-P ‘26). “Whether it’s getting me through studying, runs or random things in life, Spotify is the love of my life.” Many students report that without music, concentrating on tasks is nearly impossible. 

“I constantly have music playing, and because of that, I have memories that I associate with certain songs or artists,” stated Sukendro. For some people, music can become milestones on a timeline. A particular song might bring back the rush of performing on stage or a specific childhood memory. 

At OCSA, moments without music serve as reminders of how important music is to many students. Charlotte Balaze (CW ‘26) explained, “Music is therapy for releasing emotions, whether someone is writing music, screaming lyrics in their car or room or practicing their instrument. It’s how people express themselves, no matter the genre, no matter if they created it or not.” Without music, the silence might feel infinite and unbearable. Yet, these rare pauses could also offer something valuable: a chance to appreciate just how deeply music impacts life today.