Music, as one of the arts, is a natural cultural
development, and the Guardian does not feel that there should be any
cultivation of "Bahá'í Music" any more than we are trying to develop
a Bahá'í school of painting or writing. The believers are free to paint, write
and compose as their talents guide them. If music is written, incorporating the
sacred writings, the friends are free to make use of it, but it should never be
considered a requirement at Bahá'í meetings to have such music. The further
away the friends keep from any set forms, the better, for they must realize
that the Cause is absolutely universal, and what might seem a beautiful
addition to their mode of celebrating a Feast, etc., would perhaps fall on the
ears of people of another country as unpleasant sounds -- and vice versa. As
long as they have music for its own sake it is all right, but they should not
consider it Bahá'í music.
- Shoghi Effendi (From a letter dated 20 July 1946, written on behalf of Shoghi Effendi to a National Spiritual Assembly; The
Compilation of Compilations, vol. III, The Importance of Arts in Promoting the
Faith)
