2 . Some of the world’s most famous musicians recently gathered in Paris and New Orleans to celebrate the first annual International Jazz Day. UNESCO( United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization) recently set April 30 as a day to raise awareness of jazz music, its significance, and its potential as a unifying(联合) voice across cultures.

Despite the celebrations, though, in the U.S. the jazz audience continues to shrink and grow older, and the music has failed to connect with younger generations.

It’s Jason Moran’s job to help change that. As the Kennedy Center’s artistic adviser for jazz, Moran hopes to widen the audience for jazz, make the music more accessible, and preserve its history and culture.

“Jazz seems like it’s not really a part of the American appetite,” Moran tells National Public Radio’s reporter Neal Conan. “What I’m hoping to accomplish is that my generation and younger start to reconsider and understand that jazz is not black and write anymore. It’s actually color, and it’s actually digital.”

Moran says one of the problems with jazz today is that the entertainment aspect of the music has been lost. “The music can’t be presented today the way it was in 1908 or 1958. It has to continue to move, because the way the world works is not the same,” says Moran.

Last year, Moran worked on a project that arranged Fats Waller’s music for a dance party, “Just to kind of put it back in the mind that Waller is dance music as much as it is concert music,” says Moran. “For me, it’s the recontextualization. In music, where does the emotion(情感) lie? Are we, as humans, gaining any insight(感悟) on how to talk about ourselves and how something as abstract as a Charlie Parker record gets us into a dialogue about our emotions and our thoughts? Sometimes we lose sight that the music has a wider context,” says Moran, “so I want to continue those dialogues. Those are the things I want to foster.”

A traditional Chinese dance performed underwater    1    (become) famous on social media recently. The show led to renewed     2    (excite) of traditional Chinese art and culture among audiences. The dance featured a character from the famous ancient Chinese painting Ode to Goddess Luo (洛神水赋), the daughter of Fu Xi in Chinese mythology (神话) who drowned and became a goddess, according     3     the legend. The moves     4    (film) underwater at 4.5 meters from the ground. The short dance,    5    lasted less than two minutes, was seen as     6    creative combination of contemporary art and traditional Chinese culture. “The water made the costume even     7    (beautiful) and the moves more graceful!” said one observer online. “I’m just     8     proud of our traditional culture that I couldn’t help    9    (cry) a little bit at the end of the show,” said one netizen. The Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson also posted the video on Sunday    10     (display) the dance, saying that it was “unbelievably beautiful and the actress danced gracefully like a swan and flexibly like a Chinese dragon”.

5 . The arts, especially music, should be part of every school’s lessons at every grade level. Students would be much smarter if they had some musical experience. They could improve their classroom skills, like paying attention and following directions. People develop all these skills when they learn music. Making music also lets children use their imagination. It provides students with a chance to try out their own ideas.

Music not only makes children better students, but also gives them something positive to do. In a music programme, children can be part of a band instead of joining a gang (团伙). Parents can enjoy listening to their children’s music instead of seeing them glued to a computer or TV screen. In a school band, students get to be part of a team. They can get along well with old friends and make new friends through music.

Music builds self-confidence, too. It gives children a sense of achievement and success. Making music is something for them to be proud of, and it lets kids practise performing in front of the audience. Music gives children an opportunity for self-expression, and that helps develop their self-confidence.

Once again, music is important because it can make children better students, give them something positive to do, and build their character. That is why music lessons should be offered in every single grade in every school.

8 . Music festivals in Europe

Visiting a festival abroad can be a great reason to travel and a way to experience different cultures. These days there is such a number of choices that it’s possible to spend the whole summer watching live music in exciting places. Of course, it’s also a chance to meet people from across the world.

Melt! Festival, Germany

This festival takes place on the site of an open air museum for industrial machinery. There’s also a lake which can be used for swimming when it’s hot. This year’s line-up has over 120 different bands (乐队). Around 90% of the people attending the festival are German providing a perfect chance to practise speaking the language.

Exit Festival, Serbia

Set on the banks of the Danube in an old fortress (城堡), the festival began as a way to show people’s dissatisfaction with the government. These days it’s less political (政治的) but still worries about people who are poor, ill, old, etc and tries to help them. This year’s festival will host many famous bands. From electronic music and dance music to hard rock, there is something for everyone to enjoy.

Open’er Festival, Poland

Held in an airfield near the northern city of Gdansk, each year Open’er has a seriously good selection of bands. This year is no exception, with many famous bands set to play. Not only are there amazing artists, but both Poland and the festival itself also provide very excellent value for money.

Belladrum Tartan Heart Festival, Scotland

Set on a Scottish estate (庄园) near Inverness, this year Belladrum will welcome artists from around the world. The most enjoyable part of the weekend is the ceilidh (traditional Scottish dance and party) which is always a lively event. It doesn’t even matter if you’re a beginner because the band teaches you each dance.

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English Club

10 . Amazing Benefits of Listening to Music

If you love listening to music, you’re in good company. Recent research shows that listening to music improves our mental and physical health.     1    

Music makes you happier.

When you listen to music, your brain produces a special substance called dopamine (多巴胺). It causes listeners to feel emotions like happiness, excitement and joy. So next time you need an emotional increase, listen to your favorite tunes for 15 minutes.

Music lowers stress and improves health.

    2     This is an important finding since stress causes many illnesses. To stay calm and healthy during a stressful day, turn on the radio.

Music reduces depression.

More than 350 million people suffer from depression around the world. Music can benefit depressive patients, depending on the type of music.     3     But techno and heavy metal brings people down even more. When you feel low, put on some classical or relaxing music to increase positive moods.

    4    

Softening the lighting and music can lead people to eat fewer calories and enjoy their meals better. If you’re looking for ways to reduce your appetite (食欲), try dimming the lights and listening to soft music next time you sit down for a meal.

Music raises IQ and school performance.

Taking music lessons predicts higher school performance and IQ in young children. In one study, children who took singing lessons had learned better than children who took other lessons unrelated to music. If you want to help your children achieve excellence in their studies, you can let them take music lessons.     5