Whether you use Spotify or Apple Music, enjoy classical or fast-paced rap, or listen a few times a year or a few times an hour, everybody enjoys music. At Poly Prep Country Day School, music is more than just a form of entertainment for students; it’s a defining element of their day-to-day lives that showcases their character and helps them to connect with others. Recently, a survey was conducted among the Upper School providing insight into their personal music preferences, listening habits, and the role music plays in their daily routines, with questions like “what are your favorite genres of music to listen to” and “when do you mostly listen to the genre(s) of music you chose?” With over 20 responses from varying members of the Poly Prep student body, one central theme highlighted was diversity in these respective categories. From the energetic beats of hip-hop to the slow, introspective melodies of country music, students’ music taste reveals common trends within the lives of differing Poly personalities as well as provides a feel for the social atmosphere throughout the Upper School.

One of the most important trends brought about by the survey results is the diversity of music genres in direct correlation with differing moods and activities. For example, Jane Littleton ’25 finds comfort in rock music while driving, appreciating the “good vibe” and comfort that consumes her. She also appreciates the relaxation and emotionlessness provided by this combination. Similarly, Bennet Ling-Regan ’28 enjoys listening to pop music while riding in the car, acknowledging a similar feeling of alleviation and calm. This feeling of calmness while listening to music on the road highlights how regular parts of some Poly students’ everyday lives are enhanced with the addition of music. However, the idea that similar emotions were provoked by different forms of music, rock vs. pop, reveals the diversity present in students’ psyches across Poly. Also, Isabella Crane ’28 listens to a mix of hip-hop, rap, and pop but gravitates toward house and R&B music when she’s looking to focus. This suggests a connection between music genres and specific environments or tasks. For this particular student, that connection entails pop and rap music for everyday occurrences but house and R&B music when studying or trying to focus on schoolwork. Similarly, Maeve Flynn ’26 enjoys listening to rap, country, and pop music while doing homework and traveling. She notes that the music genres make her feel “calm and happy,” underscoring the provocation of cheerful emotion that comes from combining one’s favorite types of music with otherwise tedious or monotonous tasks. Whether it’s studying for an important test or an everyday commute, Poly Prep students utilize a variety of music genres to support their needs and heighten their daily experiences.

This survey also reveals how social and cultural contexts influence students’ musical tastes. For example, Dylan ’28 listens to rap, country, and pop music, particularly to and from school on the bus. He explains how that type of music can “remind [him] of [his] culture,” emphasizing how people can find significant personal and cultural connections to the music they listen to, and that can make simple melodies and lyrics so much more meaningful. Abygail Peralta ’28, fond of jazz, classical, and soul music, listens to music during daily tasks like cleaning and completing homework. For her, music serves as a versatile companion that can match and suit her mood at any given moment. She also acknowledges how this music can serve as a tool to form social connections. Say, for example, you were in a class at Poly with a close friend and you both received outstanding grades on a recent assessment. Peralta highlights the ability to listen to a song with that friend after class, which provokes joy to accompany an important academic achievement. This intimate moment can then bolster a bond formed between peers and friends through music and collective emotion.

Finally, many Poly students utilize music as a way to adhere to a strict daily routine and schedule. Whether it’s on the bus, during workouts, or while doing homework, music is a constant presence in the lives of many Poly students. Ben Goldberg ’27 organizes his music listening by the time of day: country in the morning, rap throughout the day, and rock music at night. This connects music with a strict schedule, creating organization and a sense of routine, formed through music, for Poly students such as Goldberg. For him, the act of listening to different genres at different points of the day helps him to align specific activities with emotion and entertainment. Finally, Felipe ’26 enjoys rock, metal, and EDM while at home, either reading or doing homework. Like many others, he utilizes music to create an ambiance that complements his personal space and activities. These patterns display how music becomes embedded in the rhythms of daily life, with students choosing different genres to complement their respective environments and routines. Overall, Poly Prep students utilize a variety of music genres across the course of an average day to induce joyous emotions that correlate with their daily activities, connect with peers and friends, and support them in creating a personal regimen. Next time you’re experiencing a lull in conversation with friends or your teachers, consider asking them what music they like to listen to or what artists they’ve been focused on recently!