I've just read a marvelous article from the New York Times Sunday Review entitled, "Why Music Makes Our Brain Sing." There really is a scientific rationale for how we react to the music we hear.
Link: http://www.nytimes.com/2013/06/09/opinion/sunday/why-music-makes-our-brain-sing.html?src=me&ref=general&_r=0
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I am taking a drawing class that stresses using the right side of the brain. Learning to draw has been fun, challenging, exasperating, and rewarding. I appreciate the process and how it involves mastering many sequential steps that build on each other. It is similar to learning to play an instr or mastering any new skill. It would be lovely to wake up one day and be able to play the mandolin or paint a recognizable portrait, but it doesn't happen like that.
There is an artist within each of us, and and we can give that artist expression in a variety of ways. As Albert Einstein said, "Creativity is intelligence having fun." Since we already possess intelligence, let's have fun and be creative. And if we need more permission to give our creative side free rein, here is Pablo Picasso's observation: “The chief enemy of creativity is good sense.” This is a quote from an article I found interesting, "How Music Helps Seniors." On Saturday the weather outside was downright frigid as the wind started howling, but inside Echo Ridge we kept warm singing the oldies. The residents thawed out with "A Hot Time in the Old Town Tonight," and by the end of the hour, one lady was dancing to "In the Good Old Summertime." Here in Minnesota, we like to keep the dream alive of lovely summer days, even in the midst of a cold snap. We even tried some Inaugural Trivia, and as always, I am impressed with how much these seniors remember! A good time was had by all.
Recently I received a recording of "Together, Hand in Hand," a song written by Paul Rysavy, which I arranged. The recording was made in 1981 by the Liturgical Choir, directed by Rob Strusinski, at the College of St. Thomas (now the University of St. Thomas) in St. Paul, MN. The song talks about how we can work together to achieve great things. At one time "Together, Hand in Hand" appeared in the songbook for Habitat for Humanity. It would also be a fitting piece for graduation and commencement programs. I really like the addition of the flute in this performance.
Liste to "Together, Hand in Hand" (right click to save or left click to listen in your browser). Welcome to my website. I hope you have found it useful and informative.
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AuthorPat writes about music and inspiration in day-to-day life. Learn more about Pat. Archives
June 2015
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