I Wonder If Rich People Know What To Do With Their Gold

For the past two weeks I have been working on a brief presentation for a community organization that has asked for holiday music. I don't really think there is much need for me to sing holiday music to these folks. There is so much holiday music everywhere you go to shop or conduct business. However, there is music composed for this time of year that people do not often hear. One such piece is the Mother's aria from Amahl and the Night Visitors, a one-act opera composed by Gian Carlo Menotti. In this aria, this character poses the question: "I wonder if rich people know what to do with their gold?"

When we ask a question that begins "I wonder . . ." we usually throw our voices upward in pitch. Menotti does that with the musical line. Then he lets the line descend in a rhythmic, but conversational way. I love singing this line because it seems such a perfect match of music and text. It is just like one might say it, but instead it is sung. It seems just right, and so I love to sing it. Then the next series of questions have very pretty music. "Do they know how to roast sweet corn on the fire?" All of the consonants in that phrase get the articulators popping and crackling much like a fire. "Do they know how to fill a courtyard with doves?" I can't say that I know how to do this, but I imagine it must require spreading seed or breadcrumbs. However, the thought of it is so uplifting! The musical line swoops and swings upward. You can almost imagine yourself in the midst of a huge scene of doves all around. Singing music where the text and the musical line make such intellectual sense makes a piece easy to sing.

This is from the original production from 1951: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=diZ36MMdtMA.

Another selection I have chosen is by Respighi, "Nevicata". That Italian word means 'snow flake'. Though it is not holiday music, it is about snow. Again, the composer uses the music to swirl and float calmly. He sets the word "immensa", meaning 'immense', at the top of a line. The first syllable, "im-" is set on the highest note in the phrase, and a shorter note. The double 'm' in Italian gets hummed just a little longer than most, opening to the vowel 'eh' on the syllable "-men-" on the next two notes stepping down. It stretches over those notes making the vision seem "immense". Actually the poet is describing an immense calm. The manner in which a composer sets words and vowels in ways that the music reinforces the meaning of the text simply adds to the fun and easy comprehension of any line of sung music. It is like "the wind beneath your wings".

Here's the prince of song singing it: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UFivLwIhR9s.

I am going to begin the presentation with a turn of the century American religious song, "The Birthday of a King". It is a fairly well-known song in this part of the south. It is two verses, and is the conventional type where you start the verse low and sweet and end higher and louder. I do not think it is a great song, but it is familiar to many.

The final song in the set is "Every Valley". The text from Isaiah of "every valley shall be exalted and every hill made low" is another version of "the first shall be last and the last made first". The setting of this text in Handel's Messiah is an all-time favorite of mine. However, it is written for a tenor. However, it was set more recently by American composer John Ness Beck. He does a good job of reinforcing the text by use of smooth phrases for the "crooked straight", and choppier music for "the rough places plain". The tune is somewhat commercial sounding but lovely. Even if you have never heard this before, you may find this choral version very pleasing. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=73xdinTZCHA.

Sights and Sounds in the Woods

Guided Imagery

Sights and Sounds in the Woods

Close your eyes and breath deeply. Try to imagine yourself in a wooded area with a lake and 

gently sloping hillsides around. 

The time of year is fall and many of the trees have lost their leaves. 

Smell the air. The smell of composted organic material is under foot. The walls of your work-a-day world are pushed outward. So far outward that they finally disappear.

All you can sense is freedom and boundless space. The atmosphere is slightly breezy and crisp.

The overhead clouds keep any sunlight from being directly bright, though it is not dark.

Think of the colors of the woods. There are small tree-starts only a foot tall with only three big leaves. These three are deep red. There is a five foot sapling whose leaves are yellow and brown. There are four other nearby saplings whose leaves have mostly fallen, but there are a few branches with orange leaves still hanging there. Under the saplings, there are a few bright green ferns among the leaves.

Breath deeply again and smell the humidity in the light fog that covers the lake. You can just imagine seeing to the distant shore, but not clearly. The humidity is beginning to give way to mist. Feel the gentleness of the droplets on your face. Its friendly greeting makes you smile.

If you stepped down to the waters edge you could see a large oak that looked too closely at the lake. It is now head-down in the lake and its leaves cling to the bank. They are creating a yellow carpet among the tall green grasses at the edge of the water. The softness of the tall grasses brush gently against your hand as you bend over to pull your hand through them. At water's level, you can see the pattern of light rain on the surface of the lake.

Listen to the light pat, pat, pat, pat-pat, pat. It falls lightly against your hat and runs down the side of your rain jacket. You can feel the coolness on your pants leg as it drips there. Breath slowly and sense the woods relief at the water.

Turn again with your face lifted toward the ascending hill. The breeze comes down blowing your hair gently away from your cheek. The smell is again of the rain and the mossy woods. A few birds are still in the tree-tops. One call. Stop. One call and then an answer. Stop. 

Walk carefully along the lake. Up ahead you hear a rustling sound. As you get closer to the sound you can hear that is it actually the sound of rushing water. Listen to that pouring water. It runs freely, and with great energy. The large dark boulders in the stream bed toss and drive the flow of water this way and that. 

Put your hand in the water. Feel the water push against your fingers. It wants to carry your fingers away into the lake. Draw your hand against the current and feel the strength it takes to push through the water. The rushing water soothes your mind.

Thank the woods for its kindness and its goodness. Breath deeply of it as though you were a part of it. 

I Am Over It

This past two weeks I have been working through what I would need for music repertoire to use in the upcoming Practicum. Though I-Pads are nice, I do not yet own one. Therefore, I wanted to create a notebook with music to use and share with others in health care settings. I went and bought supplies and had the best time cutting shapes out and making a design for not only one, but two notebooks for music repertoire. I used spray glue to put them together and then put them each in a plastic sleeve, taping that to the front of the notebooks. This way I can always make new designs if I want to do so.


I did base the design ideas on a neat design I had found on a kid-style spiral bound notebook. One is more abstract and one is oriental in flavor. But the surprising element was this: earlier this fall when I was faced with doing an art project I as very awkward; I felt very insecure as I attempted painting or drawing or doing anything of this nature. However, for these notebook designs, I just threw myself into it and - Voila - the designs got made and I am pretty happy with them.


The first repertoire I have assembled has been that of World War II era American songs. It has been particularly appropriate with Veteran's Day now upon us. I look forward to seeing some number of patients in the age bracket that were alive during World War II next year while in our area health care settings. I want to be prepared with music they know and love.

Please view the video where I exhibit the notebooks and sing you a song. 

https://docs.google.com/a/brenau.edu/file/d/0B6tL0t7qZMo9dDZINkpIbkNZaHM/edit?usp=drive_web 





Ukulele, Me-kulele

To offer patients a variety of options to experience music in a healthcare setting, the one who offers must have OPTIONS. When I shadowed two Artist-In-Residence professionals at Shands Hospital last summer, I noted that when they sang unaccompanied patients were less interested in the song. When they accompanied themselves with another instrument, there was greater interest. That being said, I wanted to look at other instruments to add to what I could offer as a musician in the hospital/healthcare setting. Therefore, I decided it was time to learn to play the Ukulele.

 

Having played the guitar as a younger person, the fretted instrument was not new to me; however, the tiny fretted instrument, tuned in its own fashion, was new. It will take some time just to get to know what might be played on it. Just as with the guitar, I can twist the tuning pegs to tune as directed, or tune it in other ways. The third string on this instrument is a little dull no matter what I do with it.

As I listen to the combination of notes, I realize that it takes a certain amount of strength to get a clean sound and clear pitch. I have increased appreciation for those that play this instrument. The sound of the Ukulele is soft and muted. It seems just right for the healthcare setting. The instrument has a playful quality as well due to the sound of the strings when it is plucked.  Because of its size, I can cradle it and make a really nice friend out of it.

Setting the Stage For Incubation

A large project this week will be assimilating and organizing the experiences I have had in the Creative Practice portion of a course I am taking. Graham Wallas describes one stage of creativity as being incubation. Therefore, I took off out of town for an excursion to give myself that incubation time. It was time when I was surrounded by new places, faces, and thoughts. It allowed for refreshment. It created a place or space in my mind for creative juices to begin flowing naturally on their own, not forced. Creativity must come of its own volition; and there must be time and space.

While in Chattanooga, I did write two poems in response to some of my activities.



Chattanooga Visit

A little drink, a little food . . .

Compliments and laughter,

Delight in seeing old friends,

But why the curious hedging?

Tales of children, stories of work,

Loss of parents and more,

But for visits in the future?

All with sincerity pledging!

 

 

Patriotism or Ambition

On Lookout Mountain

They brought the guns

While Longstreet held the left flank.

The enemy advancing,

Though three miles away,

Was on the other bank.

When they tried some cannons
The power was wet,
Other men ran from the shiver.
The blasts were mighty,
They looked for results,
But balls never cleared the river!

 

World Mental Health Day

Thanks to First Lady, Rosalynn Carter, the Carter Center has taken a very strong stance to advocate for the mental health issues too long ignored in the Unites States. Their website has a full discussion going about the subject. Here you will see a couple of comments. (http://blog.cartercenter.org/2013/10/07/join-our-conversation-on-world-mental-health-day-oct-10-2013/)

2 Comments

Post Your Own Comment

1. 1
   World Mental Health Day Blog Party, October 10, 2013 | World Mental Health Day on October 9, 2013 at 4:08 pm

   […] Join Our Conversation on World Mental Health Day, Oct. 10, 2013 The Carter Center’s Mental Health Program […]
2. 2
   Gabriel Lungu on October 10, 2013 at 9:00 am

   Indeed there is need to fight stigma and discrimination against the mentally ill but this hasn’t been easy. Am a psychiatric nurse and i have dedicated time interest in making the community be aware of mental health/illness issues. They problem I have noticed is that there is little or no government support in mental health sector. Also the limited Media access and coverage on mental health issues. In addition to that NGO have channelled their interest and investiment in other general health matter neglecting mental health which is even more disabling. I believe media coverage and adequate resource allocation can help.

3

Barbara on October 10, 2013 at 9:34 am

I believe that my community could help reduce myths and misperceptions about mental illness by following the lead of the Carter Center. The Center has made a place for sharing information and real knowledge about mental health giving it value – lifting it up for appreciation as a part of human existence not to be shunted. I am not sure that communities don’t address mental health as much as they do not know HOW to address it in the public forum. These conversations and activities at the Carter Center can act as models for communities with far more limited resources. I am grateful for the leadership and advocacy the Center has demonstrated.

The Center for Disease Control is also working to promote awareness among more American citizens. Some of the current research is looking at the affects of toxic stress on children. They suggest the following list for public awareness: 

• present research to professional and lay audiences
• invite experts to give keynote addresses to groups or provide training
• work with local journalists and reporters to highlight issues in their news stories
• use the research data in public leadership proclamations to prevent maltreatment of children
• get colleges and universities to incorporate research on these issues in their academic work (http://www.cdc.gov/ncipc/pub-res/pdf/childhood_stress.pdf).

One university that is training their faculty, staff, and students about these issues is Rutgers University. Their program is called the Campus Connect Gatekeeper Training. Though it is mandatory for all Residence Life staff, it is also recommended for student leaders. This training urges their community to not assume someone in trouble will seek help; instead  it encourages participants to be confident about starting a conversation with whomever says anything about suicide.  This program also openly promotes available resources.(http://news.rutgers.edu/feature/suicide-prevention-program-takes-community-approach-public-health-problem/20130924#.Ulb9QFCkosY).

This weblink is about the use of singing as a way to help individuals with mental health concerns. 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_detailpage&v=XDrmH0uM5xM

(my new granddaughter singing)

THE CHAIR

I am available!
And because I am so low to the ground, I especially love small children and animals to sit on me.
I am light ivory all over so I love to have colorful pillows and colorful things on me.
I am padded all over so if I am shifted or bump into the wall, I am fine.
I am available!
And I am easy to clean.

 

 

This is a wonderful activity to get yourself thinking about the issues of someone/something else.  The way you look at the "other" takes you into a ''never land' of sorts. This exercise was more playful for me. However, "when drama is used therapeutically [for teenagers], adolescents are provided with the opportunity to journey inward and project outward" (Gallo-Lopez, 2005, p. 83).  Teens can get overwhelmed by difficult changes in their lives, feeling out of control, leading to negative behaviors. Drama therapy can put them in a situation where they can make choices and be in control. Drama therapy can allow them to "explore problems, discover solutions, and have the freedom to experiment with feelings" Emunah, 2005, p. 114).

 

 

References

Gallo-Lopez, L. (2005). Drama therapy with adolescents. Play therapy with adolescents, 81-95.

Emunah, R. (2005). Drama therapy and adolescent resistance. Clinical applications of drama therapy in child and adolescent treatment, 107-120.





Making Life Wonderful Week 6 Health Blog



 

 

Marshal Rosenberg grew up in Detroit, Michigan where violence was particularly triggered by the school desegregation in the 1960s. After finishing a Ph. D. in Psychology from the University of Wisconsin he worked in peaceful conflict resolution. His Center of Nonviolent Communication is located in New Mexico where many people train to use and to teach this type of empathetic and compassionate communication skill. Marshal says that too often people play the game, “Whose right?”, whereas he advocates a better game that we all already know how to play: “Making life wonderful” (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=loABGdbOXU0).

Rosenberg has also been active in providing training in communication skills for health care providers. Research showed that the need had become particularly critical because of the “fear and distrust due to risk of transmitting infectious diseases such as HIV” (Rosenberg, Molho, 1998, p. 340). They found that both physicians and patients were more satisfied with the healthcare experience when the doctor used more empathetic means of communication.  

In the video supplied here, I am interviewing Carolyn Steinhaus, who teaches and counsels in the Nonviolent (empathic) Communication (NVC) techniques in Atlanta, Georgia. I am grateful for her time and her talents and that she was willing to share in this brief introduction to NVC.

 

http://youtu.be/YFCrbYc6YFg

 

References

Rosenberg, M. http://www.cnvc.org/about/marshall-rosenberg.html.

Rosenberg, M. (2000). http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=loABGdbOXU0

Rosenberg, M., & Molho, P. (January 01, 1998). Nonviolent (empathic) communication for health care providers. Haemophilia: the Official Journal of the World Federation of Hemophilia, 4, 4, 335-40.

 

 

Farewell at Yang Pass

This ancient Chinese song was written during the Tang dynasty. The poet was Wang Wei. Since several of my students are Chinese, I wanted to learn one of their cultural songs and attempt to wrap my voice around the traditional Chinese vocal style. I have my working on the song in video. The sound is not loud but I hope you can get a flavor. Following my video is a beautiful rendition of the piece. It was originally written for performance with the instrument called "Guqin." That is the long stringed instruments in the second video. To hear the sound of the music takes me back immediately to my trip to China in 2009. It was transformational. It makes me so happy to try to step into their culture by trying to "fit" into this song. My students have been very kind and careful teachers. Whatever I have accomplished is to their credit.

Lovin’ Dat Heart o’ Mine

Coronary artery disease, or heart disease, is all too common among some of the acquaintances I have. It seems that exactly why the body decides to store extra fatty material in the arteries to the heart is less concrete than the fact that it can. When it does happen, the amount of oxygenated-blood flow to the heart is restricted. I am particularly interested in how it affects blood pressure. Unfortunately one does not usually sense the build-up. What one gets instead are symptoms only very close to having a heart-attack. With that in mind, I wanted to look at the preventative information concerning this issue.

The University of Minnesota has a site that explains that there are two main ways to treat heart disease. One method is through the use of medications, and the other is through changes to one’s lifestyle. The preventative measures the article lists include no smoking, maintaining a healthy weight, get three to four hours of intense exercise every week, and eat at least five servings of fresh fruits and vegetables every day (http://www.takingcharge.csh.umn.edu/conditions/heart-disease).

This article also suggested a book by Dr. Dean Ornish who has founded a preventative medicine center and written a good bit about the challenges of heart disease. One of his books is Love & Survival: The Scientific Basis for the Healing Power of Intimacy (1988). “Ornish presents startling scientific evidence from researchers from many parts of the world on the important role of social support in healing all kinds of diseases” (http://www.spiritualityandpractice.com/books/books.php?id=941). Two items that he mentions in particular are touching and becoming aware of what/how you say things. That really touched me and resonated with my current readings in psychoneuroimmunology.

At JayMan’s blog, I found a discussion about the correlation of both genetics and temperature to heart disease. The blogger feels that genetics and the average temperature in which you live are determining factors for heart disease, greater than those of life style. So I asked him what he thought about the relaxation response. I was thinking that if one lived in a colder place they might not relax as much. His response is complex but interesting.

Barbara / Sep 26 2013 1:30 PM

What a fascinating conversation. I am studying arts in medicine. We look at happiness, relaxation response, and how doing art positively influences the immune system. I wonder if one could study heart disease and those who sing? heart disease in those who consider themselves happy? Perhaps these studies are being or have been done. I’ll look. Otherwise, I agree that there is much more to learn about most things.

reply

·         JayMan / Sep 26 2013 3:13 PM

@Barbara:

We look at happiness, relaxation response, and how doing art positively influences the immune system.

Well, that would be an awfully hard thing to study, because you’d have to perform a very long randomized controlled trial…

I wonder if one could study heart disease and those who sing?

Sure, but it would be simply an academic inquiry. It wouldn’t be able to help anyone since the ability to sing is something you have or don’t have…

References

Ann Louise: At the Heart of Your Health. http://www.annlouise.com/blog/2013/02/15/at-the-heart-of-your-health/comment-page-1/#comment-58106

Centers for Disease Control. http://www.cdc.gov/heartdisease/

How Stuff Works. http://health.howstuffworks.com/diseases-conditions/cardiovascular/heart/heart-attack.htm

JayMan. http://jaymans.wordpress.com/2013/08/18/even-george-w-bush-has-heart-disease/

Ornish, DD. http://www.pmri.org/dean_ornish.html

University of Minnesota. http://www.takingcharge.csh.umn.edu/conditions/heart-disease.

Self-Portrait Collage

This self-portrait represents many aspects that are observable to me about myself. It includes yielding bounty. This is represented mostly by the water which has its own attractiveness, beauty, and strength of purpose. After a hard travel down stream, the water plunges full steam ahead over the cliff, free-falling down the river bed, and then settles calmly and lazily at the bottom. In another view, one can see the sun shining through the water, and another with sailboats and roses. Other pictures represent the roles I play: mother, provider, counselor, dancer, tennis player, and sat-upon. One of the stronger images represents the success I have had and my sense that this has not always pleased others. Though I think my purpose is clear, am I kidding myself?

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

This activity might also serve to unlock some of the ambivalent feelings pregnant teenagers might have. As a second artistic discipline, it would be lovely to add poetry writing. To invite their participation, I would do it with them and hope to model exposing conflicting sides of one's personality in the mix. Doubt is OK!



Working on My Self-Image

 

The way we see ourselves is very important and affects how we go through our day and our life. Therefore, taking time to think through our own self-image is a fine way to spend a little time. Like many things in life, our self-image is under construction and can change by learning about ourselves. Sometimes we can do this by reflecting on what we feel we find in the internal cupboard of our mind, or by simply noting the words that other’s use to describe us, what we do, or how we do it.  The Cleveland Clinic offers a specific set of steps one could take to foster a more positive self-image (http://my.clevelandclinic.org/healthy_living/mental_health/hic_fostering_a_positive_self-image.aspx).

More directly, the Mayo Clinic suggests we might spend time thinking about our “thinking.” This clinic offers four steps to assist us with doing just that by going from identifying what’s bothering us to adjusting the way we might be thinking about just those things (http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/self-esteem/MH00129).  

At the following listed blog, there are numerous quotes from famous individuals, noted literary figures, and religious figures. They each had a positive message. Several were also humorous in their wit addressing how we act as humans. I particularly liked the quote that pointed out how being positive and being negative take about the same amount of time and energy.

 

There are three quick ways to improve your positive thinking in an article by Hentrik Edberg given at this blog: http://www.positivityblog.com/index.php/2013/09/18/here-you-are/comment-page-1/#comment-451491: slow down, complete the phrase, "Now I am  . . .", and a word that acts as your own personal 'stop sign'. You see my response here.

 

 

singmewell September 19, 2013 at 10:33 am

Your comment is awaiting moderation.

Thank you, Henrik, for your three wonderful and well-articulated recommendations. I like the crispness of the interventions and your encouragement to use them. I will.

 

Because pictures are worth a thousand words, I recommend this site for laughs and uplift: https://www.google.com/search?q=positive+self-image&hl=en&qscrl=1&rlz=1T4GGHP_enUS443US444&tbm=isch&tbo=u&source=univ&sa=X&ei=qrA6UrGXOYuI9ASmrICYAw&sqi=2&ved=0CC4QsAQ&biw=1366&bih=641&dpr=1.

I also enjoy seeing what others have to say. Therefore, I went to the following site where I found many quotes by others, famous and not so.

http://addicted2success.com/quotes/50-positive-thinking-quotes-for-more-inner-strength-growth/

singmewell

September 19, 2013 at 7:52 am

Your comment is awaiting moderation.

Thanks for the positive and humorous reminders. The quotes bring to us the fact that we are not the only one looking for relief from our concerns and that others have found ways to identify and manage their challenges: so can we!

 

 



You Might Not Recognize This Drawing

There are three main colors in this drawing. The shapes made themselves. I think in reflection that each color represents one of my children. The fact that I set the sheet of paper in my rocking chair to paint seems more than Freudian! It does make me laugh. How human I am.

Gaming For Teen Health Education

The history of Health and Human Services in the United States is being “rocked” by the same thing that is creating waves of change and bewilderment in higher education: technology. The community health issues in rural communities are particularly impoverished by few well-trained personnel. What is offered to teen agers might not meet the needs of the community. Therefore larger organizations have taken to the internet. The Center for Disease Control and Prevention has a very robust location on their website called “BAM! Body and Mind”. At this site teens are prompted: “Got a Question?” as in “Got milk?”

The number of ways this site engages young people includes videos of cartoon heros such as “The Immune Platoon”. They overcome the enemy, Lethargo, requesting help from teens to be active and chomp on fresh fruit and vegetables. There are also links to other activities including games such as “Smile Style”. This game asks that users choose elements in the window that will give them a great smile and trash the items that will not do so. Another United State government site with similar material offers teens different games that cover the topics of “Alcohol and Peer Pressure”, “Body Parts”, recipes for cooking (!) and also “It’s My Life”. This particular site invites teens to share, by writing, their inner thoughts about their lives and experiences. 

The need for training for health educators in public schools was address in another article. One particular study by Herman and Lohmann addressed instructional strategies for training those who will be teaching health to teens. Though they felt there was a need to use various methods of instruction, technology was certainly among those they listed. “It behooves health education curriculum developers to consider moving beyond the time-tested medium of video into more advanced technologies that can be designed to simulate real-world situations where participants learn to apply decision making and other health skills” (Herman, Lohmann 2011).

 

One other article talked about teens in Native American communities where there are no traditional means for broad discussion of health topics with this age group. Therefore, those working with teens are using the “media technologies, including the Internet, cell phones, and video games, offering new avenues to reach Native youth on sensitive health topics” (Craig, Stephens 2012). American teen agers need to be engaged in health and safety issues. The Health and Human Services professionals are the ones who try to reach this group. It is interesting and encouraging that technology can be used to advance this communication of need information.

 

Center for Disease Control and Prevention: www.cdc.gov/bam/

Craig, R. S., & Stephens, D. (January 01, 2012). Tribal recommendations for designing culturally appropriate technology-based sexual health interventions targeting Native youth in the Pacific Northwest. American Indian and Alaska Native Mental Health Research (online), 19, 1, 76-101.

Herbert P, Lohmann D. (2011) It’s all in the delivery! An analysis of instructional strategies from effective health education curricula. The Journal of School Health, 81(5), 258-264.

KIDS.US.gov/teens-home/play-games-health-and-safety/index.shtml

Arms in the Air and Swing 'Em Like You Just Don't Care

Today's thought:

Humans are healthy when they are animated by vitality; in turn, when humans use their vitality to animate ideas, materials or sounds, it refreshes their own sense of vitality. Throughout history, human kind has developed this activity surrounding rituals for times when they feel least vital: death, illness, catastrophe, or fear of such; or when they feel most vital: birth, bonding, spiritual awakening, or awe.


This summary was written in response to a course I am taking at the University of Florida concerning the history of human health and healing and the arts. I would be glad for any reactions others might have to this and further the thinking and discovery in this area. 

Six Word Memoirs

Hemmingway set a neat bar with his six word memoir. The idea of distilling one's content per this or that into something small is a good exercise because it does get one to think through large blocks of experiences and encourages one to see a certain set of spikes, up or down, on the oscillating wave of their life or whatever is being considered. Therefore, it could be a good exercise for one working to find forward motion out of an emotional rut or out of a thought-looping that is challenging a more positive outlook.

I think it would serve very well as an exercise for senior music majors as they approach topics and processes for their Senior Capstone. I will add this procedure to their initial work on their Capstones and document its effectiveness. It might also be a good tool to use at the end of a session of singing to see what inner reflection surfaces in reaction to the singing experience.



Autobiography in Six Words:

Rhythm yields to melody to harmony.


Present Moment in Six Words:

Family haunts, family beckons; boat afloat.


Vision in Six Words:

Looking to see the next smile.


Professional Memoir in Six Words:

Happy rhythms, dotted rhythms, driven rhythms.

In looking at sites that address the therapeutic affects of singing, I ran across the following article: The Therapeutic Effects of Singing in Neurological Disorders  (Wan, Rueber, Hohmann, and Schlaug). They did a meta analysis of research studies looking at the affects of singing for patients who had problems with stuttering, or vocal problems due to strokes (aphasia), and Parkinson's disease. One conclusion was that singing helps these patients with neurological disorders because it makes use of both right and left sides of the brain. In everyday conversation, spoken language generally uses only the left side of the brain. Also in the process of singing words, individual phonemes, sound units, are more easily identified due to their elongation within the sung line of text. Parkinson's patients often experience difficulties with a weak and breathy speaking voice. By singing, they increase the strength and resonance of their voices by learning to use more body support for the breath column coupled with increased tension in the glottis. The article also referenced the "Lee Silverman Voice Treatment".

 

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2996848/?report=classic

I visited a blog site for this treatment and have captured their initial presentation and my question to the author, Allison Berglund, MS CCC-SLP:

Barbara Steinhaus, on September 4, 2013 at 10:37 pm said:

I am a professional singer and professor of Music. From what I have read here, I wondered if you felt that this “speech” technique was as effective if you sang vocal sounds instead of speaking vocal sound? Please visit my blog: singmewell.blogspot.com. I look forward to hearing what you would consider.
Thank you, Barbara Steinhaus

 

http://sliers.wordpress.com/2008/05/23/find-your-voice-lee-silverman-voice-treatment-lsvt%c2%ae/#comment-322

 

Can I sing me well?

 

Can singing provide healing?

 

 

I am Barbara, and have been singing all of my life. I have also had the very good fortune of being a very healthy person. However, as a professional singer and a professor of voice in higher education, I realize that the general public may have varying degrees of wellness and occasional illnesses

whether they sing or not.

 

However, for those who might have a specific health issue such as a natural pregnancy

 

 

 

 

 or a more unfortunate traumatic injury,

 

 

 

 would making a practice of singing help them either back to health more quickly, or help them manage their physical discomforts? In this blog I hope to find out what others might have to share about how they have experienced singing in their healing.

 

Brahms Lieder with John Wustman at the piano is a performance from 2007. It is a good indication of where I was with my own song involvement before I started this blog.

 

You'll find it as the first posting in the blog. I hope you enjoy it!

 

I look forward to hearing from any and all of you who happen by this blog!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Brahms Lieder

Brahms Lieder