The voice is in itself democratic instrument. Almost anyone who does not have any health limitations can use their voice. And unlike other instruments, it costs nothing. "You can be particularly creative with your voice," says Christine Siegert, president of the music councils of the German states, writes Deutsche Welle (DW).
Musically councils choose the instrument of the year, and in 2025 it will be the human voice. Many things are possible with the voice, from singing and speaking, to whispering or shouting. "All those sounds can also be used musically." You can also be creative with loud shouts or screams," Siegert tells DW.
In addition, voice connects people around the world and can transcend cultural, linguistic and geographical barriers, especially when sung. Overall, the music councils of the German states consider the human voice to be the basis for communication and international understanding.
Singing in protest
"The instrument of the year is also connected with political messages," says Christine Ziegert. "We know about workers' songs, about revolutionary songs like the Marseillaise, and we also know how important singing was for Martin Luther during the Reformation." A lot can be achieved with a voice."
In Afghanistan, the new Taliban, so-called the "virtue law", prohibits women from singing or speaking loudly in public. Regardless of the content of what is being sung or spoken, a woman's voice is, as they say, "seductive." Penalties are provided even if someone sings inside the house, and that sound penetrates outside. But women are still raising their voices. Protest videos of Afghan women filming themselves singing at home and posting it online are currently going viral.
The voice as a political instrument
In Germany this year, the vote takes on a political meaning in an additional way. When the music councils decided three years ago that the human voice would be the instrument in 2025, they could not foresee what the political situation would be like today. "Back then, we thought less about the special challenges that democracies are currently facing," says Hartmut Schröder, secretary general of the Music Council of Schleswig-Holstein.
But the vote is especially important now, he adds to DW: "Here in Germany we will have an extraordinary federal election, so the vote is important in the parliamentary process." After the collapse of the current coalition, voters will "give their vote" in the extraordinary elections for the Bundestag in February, and in this way they can, in a figurative sense, help determine the political direction of the country.
Instrument of the year
Since 2008, the music councils of the German provinces jointly choose the instrument of the year. "That year we started with a popular instrument, the clarinet," recalls Hartmut Schroeder. "We wanted to bring media attention to music through instruments that are not only associated with classical music."
Even today, it is important for councils to bring together people who play different kinds of music - people who play the same instrument but would hardly play together, such as a clarinetist who plays classical music and a clarinetist from a volunteer fire company orchestra.
Some instruments need to be brought out of the shadows and presented in a different light. "We wanted to make the bassoon visible." For example, we placed the mandolin in an international context," says Schroeder. The international context also played a role when it came to the tube. She was an instrument in 2024, and the goal was to present her as an instrument that is not just a companion.
Why is the voice so special?
The voice is probably the most original of all musical expressions. Researchers believe that people were singing more than 150.000 years ago. By the way, the oldest instrument found is the flute.
"We know from archeological findings that flutes and drums existed as far back as the Stone Age," says Music Council President Christine Siegert. The voice may be even older: mothers in all ages have almost certainly hummed lullabies to their children, long before the first words existed.
Voice is something that can create trust. Through it we can exchange thoughts, feelings and ideas, and thus build deep connections with each other.
Ambassadors of the voice
During 2025, festivals and concerts will be held where the voice will be celebrated as the instrument of the year. It should be sung more in schools and other educational institutions, as well as in families. Because singing not only brings joy, but also keeps a person physically and mentally healthy.
Some German provinces also appoint their own ambassadors for the year of the instrument, through whom the public's attention is drawn to the instrument. In Schleswig-Holstein in 2025 it will be the vocal ensemble of the NDR. The choir of that public service from the north of Germany organizes regular "singing" programs and joint concerts with amateurs.
Singing together makes people stronger
Hartmut Schroeder from the Schleswig-Holstein Music Council would like to encourage politicians to sing in 2025. "We will try to convince the representatives of the state parliament of Schleswig-Holstein to raise their voices in a different context, that is, in a musical context."
If that happens, MPs will really be on trend. Because common singing and common voice are currently in great demand in Germany.
