I was so fortunate this holiday season to find myself singing in the Holiday Pops concert in Springfield Symphony Hall with Springfield Symphony Chorus, the Orchestra, rock and soul star Michael Lynch, the wonderful cantor Elaine Barber, our sweet and indomitable conductor Nikki Stoiaa and Maestro William Waldron.
It was wonderful to fill this glorious Greek Revival historic hall with music of hope and joy.
In this time of war and hatred and uncertainty, we need it. Our souls need it. Our civilization, our world needs music: the more the better.
And music is healing. Literally. When we sang the beautiful Austrian carol "Still"--we tenors and basses starting acapella, followed by the angelic voices of our sopranos and alto's, I could feel my blood pressure drop, my muscles relax, and my body and mind grow still enough.
so that I could imagine "the sound of falling snow. When all is hushed the world is sleeping..."
Whatever one's spiritual or religious beliefs, the melody and imagery created by our voices and the instruments of the orchestra working together, can lead anyone to a place of peace and comfort, of wellness and gratitude.
Music as healing is reinforced by science. Listening to or singing music has been found to lower stress hormone or catecholamine levels, and to increase dopamine, the "pleasure" hormone. Singing or playing music with others decreases senses of loneliness and forges social bonds.
Singing, playing, or listening to music helps alleviate depression and anxiety. I have repeatedly found, over the years, that when a young patient is especially anxious about a shot or procedure--and often may, in fact, have a history of anxiety-- tapping in to his or her musical interests, even getting her to sing out loud is a powerful form of analgesic and anesthetic!
It is no surprise that music therapists, though in short supply, or so valued in palliative care settings, and in many hospitals. For example, when I visited Denver Children's Hospital, now known as Colorado Children's, the sounds of a volunteer playing peaceful piano music in the amphitheater like lobby. It echoed up to the upper floors, creating an atmosphere of calm and healing.
When I visited a patient's dad who had suffered a serious hemorrhage after attempted removal of a brain tumor, in the rehab hospital, it was amazing to see him become so much more alert and communicative after I sang a song by his favorite singer--Elvis Presley.
I've written previously about a good friend who fell into a coma after she had a stroke following a bone marrow transplantation for recurrent leukemia. Her husband requested music.
I sent my recording of Rosalind Tureck's playing of Bach's Goldberg variations. Bach's music seemed to help her regain consciousness and begin her recovery.
I believe music therapy should play a much bigger role in our health care system.
In the meantime, whatever your religion, faith, or lack of one, I urge you to enjoy some of the music of this season--even if you find that if you hear one more rendition of Jingle Bells, you're going to bang your head against the wall. Check out the soulful rendition of "White Christmas" by Otis Reading, the new song "Christmas Gift," by Michael Lynch, a good recording of "Still," the touching "No Room at the Inn," by Catharine Russel."Merry Christmans Baby," by Etta James "This Christmas," by Donny Hathaway, "Silver Bells," by the late great Tony Bennett, your favorite version of Silent Night and the new classic, "Wintertime" by Norah Jones.
Dance to "African Christmas," by Kintawa, Malfred Tz, Frank Sinatra's "I've Got my Love to Keep Me Warm," or "Christmas in New Orleans."
Kids will enjoy "Here Comes Suzy Snowflake" by Rosemary Clooney, "Winter Wonderland," by Jewell, and the music from the wonderful "Charley Brown Christmas."
Hanukkah is over, but next year, play and sing your favorite versions of "The Dreidel Song," "Rock of Ages," and the playful Ladino tune "Ochos Candelinas." And, of course, sing whatever music in whatever language is most appropriate for your cultural heritage and language!
Above all, make it a New Year's Resolution to make music a big part of yours and your children’s' lives!