KQED's Forum The Delightful Experience of Collective Effervescence
Dec 31, 2025
Zoe Ellis, Director of Music Ministries at Glide Memorial Church, and Shira Gabriel, a psychology professor at the University at Buffalo, explore the phenomenon of collective effervescence. They dive into how shared musical experiences, rituals, and laughter foster community and connection. Gabriel highlights the differences between in-person and virtual experiences, while Ellis shares how music can create unity. They also touch on the emotional impact of collective moments, both uplifting and occasionally dark, offering a comprehensive view of what brings us together.
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Opening Song That Invites Everyone
- Zoe Ellis led a community song at Glide called "This Joy That I Have" to open worship and connect people.
- The repetitive, easy-to-sing lines invite newcomers to join and share the feeling.
DJ Curates Collective Energy
- DJ D Sharp crafts moments by selecting songs that sync a crowd's energy, favoring timeless artists like Earth, Wind & Fire.
- He adapts song choices by venue and demographic to create shared musical peaks.
Music As The Social Glue
- Music is the single strongest facilitator of collective effervescence at events.
- It focuses attention, enables shared participation, and evokes transcendence across cultures.