Music is a powerful tool for motivating, inspiring, educating and soothing pain. No one is immune from the power of music. Many of the world’s scientists, medical doctors, and mathematicians have studied and played musical instruments since they were children.
These eminent individuals have integrated music into their thinking process.
Albert Einstein won his Nobel Prize for Physics in 1921. At the age of 6 he began to learn the violin and at the age of 13 “he was aroused by Mozart into an awareness of the mathematical structure of music” (Clark, 1984, p.29). “Einstein’s favorite composer was Mozart though he did enjoy Vivaldi and Bach” (Hoffman & Dukas, 1972, p.153). “His music as he would explain on occasions, was in some ways an extension of his thinking processes, a method of allowing the subconscious to solve particularly tricky problems. Einstein’s eldest son has said, whenever he felt that he had come to the end of the road or into a difficult situation in his work , he would take refuge in music and that would usually resolve all his difficulties”
(Clark, 1984 ,pp.140-141). For more true stories of the world’s scientists, medical doctors, and mathematicians who have studied and played musical instruments since they were children refer to “The Secret of Teaching Science & Math Through Music” by Madeline Frank, Ph.D. Go to:
Madeline’s Musical One Minute Radio Show for December
“Oliver Sacks: Music Can Heal the Brain” (OCT 29,2007) by Jordan Lite from The NY Daily News .com. Dr. Sacks on Tues will be at Beth Abraham Hospital in the Bronx, where he worked for over four decades with brain-injured patients, to sign copies of his new book, “Musicophilia”
“to raise money for its music therapy program.”
To see and hear excerpts on video of Dr. Sacks talking about his “Musicophilia” go to :
http://www.musicophilia.com/music_video.htm
“The Sound of Music Amok in the Mind” ( Nov 4, 2007) by Floyd Skloot from The Boston Globe . Review of Dr. Sacks’ new book “Musicophilia”. “It is clear that music, above all else can kick-start a damaged or inhibited motor system into action again.”
“South Africa: Three Horrible Weeks’ That Changed a Leader’s Life” (Oct 16, 2007) by Tamar Kahn from the All Africa Global Media. Kjell Magne Bondevik , former Norwegian prime minister , “has been touring SA to raise awareness about mental illness.” He says, “Through my period of weakness I became stronger, and I became a better leader because I learned so much about human nature.I also learned to appreciate the good moments in life, to take a long breakfast with my family on Sunday morning, and to listen to classical music.” He believes his depression was brought on by stress and the death of several close family members. Classical music is very good for relieving stress and soothing pain. To read the article tap on the following link :http://allafrica.com/stories/200710160193.html
“Songs From the Heart: NFHA Youth Choir” (Nov. 1,2007) by Michele Deluca from the Niagara Gazette, N.Y. The Youth Choir of the Housing Authority has around 50 children that sing in the choir after school. The choir has been in existence for 7 years and performs at inaugurations and other local community opportunities. Their choir director is Diana Reeves .
http://www.niagara-gazette.com/niagaraliving/local_story_305175204.html
“Medical Miracle or New Age Healing” (Nov 3,2007) by Michael Torchia from the News Blaze, Daily News.
http://newsblaze.com/story/20071101062634tsop.nb/newsblaze/TOPSTORY/Top-Stories.html
“Thousands of Students Get Taste of Classical Music in Concert Series”
(Nov 2, 2007) by Jennifer Torres from the Recordnet.com. The Stockton Symphony has been giving these classical music concerts for 11 years as a field trip to offer “a first encounter with live classical performance, an experience that can inspire music appreciation and enhance arts education.”
http://www.recordnet.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20071102
“Mayo Researchers: Complementary Therapies Help Patients Recover After Heart Surgery” ( Nov 3,2007) by Tracy Klein from the Mayo Clinic.Org News.
“Music Therapy: The team bought CD players for each room and a selection of CDs. The team endorses relaxation music based on numerous studies that show music’s positive effects on hospital patients.”
http://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2007-10/mc-mrc103107.php
“Culture Zohn: Gustavo Dudamel, Hearthrob and Conductor, Lands in LA” (Nov 2, 2007) by Patricia Zohn from The Huffington Post. We first heard about Gustavo Dudamel ,26, the new music director of the LA Philharmonic in an article called “Music Saved the Street Children of Venezuela- Could It Work for Scotland” (August 13, 07).
Classical music lessons transformed the lives of thousands of children “in the slums of Venezuela.” Dudamel is a product of the “free classical music lessons” and a wonderful new role model as well.
To read the full article go to:
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/patricia-zohn/
For the August 13, 2007 article go to : to http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/uk/article2246441.ece
“Herb Alpert Hits a UCLA High Note”(Nov 16, 2007) by Chris Pasles from the Los Angeles Times. “In what UCLA is calling the largest single gift to music education in the western United States, the Herb Alpert Foundation has given the university a $30 million endowment pledge to establish the cross-disciplinary UCLA Herb Alpert School of Music….” For the article go to:
http://www.calendarlive.com/cl-et-alpert16nov16,0,6853200.story?coll=cl-home-more-channels
“Music Lessons Pay Off in Higher Earnings : Poll” ( Nov 14,2007) from the Reuters Life ,poll from Harris Interactive” The poll by Harris Interactive, an independent research company, showed that 88 % of people with a post-graduate education were involved in music while in school and 83% of people earned $150,000 or more had a music education.” For the article go to:
http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20071114/lf_nm_life/music_dc
“Music and Brain Therapy” (Nov 18, 2007) by Saskia Constantinou from the Cyprus Mail. The value of music therapy for your emotional well-being , for relieving stress and treating insomnia. To read more go to :
The question of the month:
Mrs. M asked: “How can classical music reduce crime ?
My Answer: Classical music has the power to organize the brain because of it’s mathematical nature. The more complex the rhythm –the more complex the mathematics. Just as we do exercise for the body we do classical music with it’s complex rhythms, mathematics, to exercise the brain. The more complex the rhythm the better. Playing classical music activates nerve cells in the brain, rewiring synapses, increasing brain function. Through the power of classical music , the brain can re-develop and regenerate to promote civilized behavior and scholastic aptitude. It has been found that children who take up a musical instrument learn discipline, cooperation, teamwork, motivation, concentration and self esteem. Recent medical research has determined that when you play a musical instrument, all four lobes of the brain and the cerebellum are being stimulated. By playing a musical instrument the brain cells are strengthened and form new connections.
Articles to support this research are included below:
- “So When Is Debussy Due at the Station” ( Sep 11,2007) by Stewart Abel
from the Plymouth Evening Herald-Plymouth, England, UK. The playing of classical music at Bretonside bus station is keeping crime away.
http://www.thisisplymouth.co.uk/displayNode.jsp?nodeId=181429 - “New Thame Loos To Include Classical Music ?” (April 21, 2007) from the Thame’s local news-TameNews. net Oxfordshire.UK . Classical music “deters youngsters from loitering.” These new toilets with classical music in the background will stop crime.· “How Classical Music Can Reduce Crime, Benefit Your Mood and Increase Your Spending” (Oct 31,2006) by www.Sixwise.com. In the article classical music was being played in the most dangerous neighborhoods in the London Underground stations to decrease crime. Robberies decreased by 33 %, staff assaults decrease by 25 %, and vandalism decrease by 37 %.
Classical music even keeps out animal predators: - “Mozart Makes Everything Sweeter” (August 23,2007) by Mijana Velijkovic
from the Excalibur On Line York University’s Newspaper. As you drive up the foothills of Siena, Italy to Carlo Cignozzi’s Vineyard, you hear his “beloved classical music ”playing. Cignozzi says, “even plants need a little soft music.” When Cignozzi decided he wanted to change his career , he researched other vineyards in China and Korea and examined the positive effects of classical music on vineyards. He began by playing Mozart’s “Magic Flute” and Vivaldi’s “Four Seasons” on his accordion for his vineyard workers , “feeling that he had not only had an effect on them but also his grapes.” His results are as follows : “His grapes matured within 10 to 14 days, instead of the usual 20 days. The alcohol content also became higher due to the faster growth. Another discovery….was the decrease in bacteria, moulds and parasites.” During the night Cignozzi played Tchaikovsky to keep away nighttime predators such as deer away from his vineyard. Cignzzin says, “music, it seems, had become a potential organic pest deterrent.”
Classroom Update On Using Classical Music in the Public School
Classrooms and while doing homework after school:
- Two articles on the benefits of singing and listening to music are “How
Singing Improves Your Health (Even if Other People Shouldn’t Hear You Singing)” and “New Study Confirms It: Music is a Must for Your Good Health … and Your Brain” by www.SixWise.com (Oct. 17,2007) To read the full articles go to:
http://www.sixwise.com/newsletters/05/10/12/
http://www.sixwise.com/newsletters/06/06/07/ - Mrs. JC had her fourth grade reading class , 22 in the class, listening
to classical music, Mozart, during class for the entire school year .The children have consistently made 100’s on tests and work. These are just average students not exceptional. - Mrs. G had her fifth grade students listening to classical music,
played softly, while the children did creative writing assignments and when they did problem solving in math. It created a calm atmosphere conducive to problem solving and creative thinking as well as an appreciation of music that they might not have experienced. The results were so good that she incorporated this into her teaching for five year. - “Mrs. J has 3 children, ages 15, 11, and 7 who have been listening to
Mozart and other classical music while doing their homework after school since March 05. She has seen them become more focused and relaxed , finishing homework quicker, with more accuracy which has led to higher grades. - “Northside Middle School in Norfolk, Virginia is using classical music
in halls and class rooms with very good success. “ Classical Music Plays at Norfolk School”
- “Home Schooling Popularity Grows in WNC” ( Oct 14,2007) by Ashley Wilson
from the Ashville Citizen -Times Voice of the Mountain, N.C. “We have classical music playing all day long. We have National Public Radio in the background. It’s amazing how cultured your children can become…” To read the article go to
http://www.citizen-times.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=200771013084 - “Musical Training Found Important for Communication Skills” (Oct. 24,2007)
To read the transcript and hear the radio broadcast go to
http://www.voanews.com/specialenglish/2007-10-22-voa2.cfm - “Granite Falls Educator Is Nation’s Teacher of the Year” (April
26,2007) by Lynn Thompson from the Seattle Times Newspaper. The nations teacher of the year is Granite Falls music teacher, Andrea Peterson.
Andrea Peterson, 33, teaches choir and music classes at Monte Cristo Elementary School. She plays “almost every instrument in the orchestra , sings, composes music, writes lyrics for her students on subjects as diverse as ocean ecology and Shakespeare.” Superintendent Joel Thaut, says, “Music isn’t a subsidiary subject in Granite Falls. It’s part of everything we do.”
http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/education/2003680199_teacher25m.html - “How the Arts Make Kids Smarter” (July 7, 2007) by Mary Belle McCorkle
and Shirley Kiser from the Tucson Citizen, Tucson, Arizona. Gene Jones, a retired businessman.
To read the entire article go to
http://www.tucsoncitizen.com/daily/opinion/56776.php
This December if you have a question about the power of music for education and healing … what would your specific question be? Tap on the link below and look on the left side to where it says ask Madeline a
question: www.madelinefrankviola.com
Performing at Hospitals, Rehab Hospitals, and Retirement Homes Madeline Frank, violist has shared her music with patients at local Hospitals and Rehab Hospitals in Virginia. If anyone has an experience they would like to share on the benefits of classical music please send it and it will be include it in the January 2008 newsletter.
Wishing you and your family a happy and healthy Chanukah, Christmas and New Year from your Non-Invasive Medicine…Music Expert, Madeline