We want to wish all of our readers a Happy and Healthy New Year! Remember to start your New Year right by listening to Classical music which has the power to make you smarter, help you work faster with more accuracy, improves health and healing, grows healthier plants in fewer days, increases sales in stores, and can prevent crime. If school cafeterias and school buses played Classical Music, the students would be calmer and more focused without violent tendencies. On Feb 24, 2009, Madeline Frank will be conducting “Bermuda’s 400th Anniversary Concert, Concerti Through the Ages in Paget, Bermuda at St. Paul’s Church. The Four Centuries of music to be played with Bermudian Orchestra and Bermudian soloists will be the Marcello Oboe Concerto in D Minor, Soloist Gaynor Gallant; Mozart Horn Concerto in E flat Major, K495, Soloist, Kent Hayward; Reinecke Flute Concerto, Soloist, Nancy Smith; and the Poulenc Organ Concerto, Soloist, Adrian Ridgeway.
If anyone has an experience they would like to share with our readers on the benefits of classical music please send it and it will be include it in the February 2009 newsletter.
Did you know that Charlie Chaplin, the comic genius, was a violinist? Charles Spencer Chaplin, Jr. (b. Walworth, London, England April 16, 1889- d. Vevey, Switzerland Dec 25, 1977) was a genius at writing, directing, acting, composing music, at dancing, at being a mime, and at playing his violin left handed. He understood about the economic and social problems of unemployment, automation, and the effects of the depression in the 1930s. He himself had experienced unemployment. His films were his commentary on the times. In Charlie Chaplin’s film “Modern Times” his anxieties and observations were transformed into comedy. Each of his films is a history of the times in a masterful comic setting.
http://www.charliechaplin.com/en/categories/7-Music/articles/26-Chaplin-Music
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Charlie_Chaplin
“Charlie Chaplin” (Dec 2008) by Ariane Todes from The Strad Magazine , (pp.23-28)
http://www.charliechaplin.com/en/articles/4 (1994) by David Robinson
Click below for Madeline’s Musical One Minute Radio Show for January 2009.
How did Classical Music play a part in Charlie Chaplin’s comic genius and how long did he practice his violin?
https://www.madelinefrankviola.com/madelines-one-minute-radio-show/
“Just the Right Moves” (Nov 22, 2008) by Johnny Diaz from the Boston Globe. On Mondays for two hours Parkinson’s patients dance to music of tangos, jazz, and blues to improve “their balance and mobility”. One participant says, “The class has changed her attitude, .. I feel stretched and happy. It’s fun. It’s a good group of people to be with. I don’t usually gather with a group of Parkinsonians.”
http://www.boston.com/news/local/massachusetts/articles/
“NC High School Students Win $100K In Research Competition” (Dec. 9, 2008) by Siemens Corp., Cary, N.C. Press Release. “Wen Chyan, a senior at Texas Academy of Mathematics and Science in Denton, Texas, won the $100,000 scholarship in the individual category for chemistry research on combating hospital-related infections.” In college he plans to major in Chemistry or Chemical Engineering. He plays the violin and the piano and also composes music. To read more about Wen Chyan and his colleagues click on the link below:
http://raleigh.mync.com/site/raleigh/news
“How We Can Feel “The Elixir of Love” (Nov 20, 2008) by Teresa Annas from The Virginian –Pilot. Dr.Victor Sonnino, neurosurgeon, knows first hand the value of Classical music particularly opera to heal his patients. He says, “Opera has this beneficial effect because it actually changes the body’s physiological functions during the course of it.”
Question of the Month: Can Classical Music in School Hallways Make A Difference?
Elizabeth Hamilton sent the following story to us:
On my first day at work in a North Carolina middle school, I was appalled at the noise level in the hallways. Students yelled, banged locker doors, chased one another, bullied, and sneered at any teacher who tried to quiet them. The noise level flowed freely into classrooms when the bell rang, and rowdiness suffused many classes. Students poked at one another until a physical fight broke out between two or more, at which the rest of the class would jump to their feet chanting, “Fight, fight, fight.” Teachers tried in vain to gain attention long enough to teach. The place was, to put it bluntly, chaotic.
After a few days, I asked the principal for a private conference. At the conference, I suggested that we use the school’s public address system to pipe classical music throughout the halls at the beginning of the school day, during breaks, and at the end of the day. The music would, I explained, calm the students and produce an atmosphere more conducive to study. It would prepare their brains for academic pursuits. I suggested a few composers and offered to select appropriate recordings. The principal agreed, and the plan was instituted the following Monday morning.
At first, most students looked toward the speakers and scoffed. The scoffing subsided gradually, though, and the halls became quieter as the week progressed. By the next week, fighting had greatly abated. Classrooms were more orderly. Teachers were getting more done. Students who had previously spent hours in detention told the principal the music was “cool” and began to get better grades. An 11-year old boy who had been cited for gun possession in school came to thank me for the music. “No one ever loved us the way you do,” he said.
The principal, the campus police officer, and other school personnel acknowledged that classical music has incomparable power. The principal continued to use classical music throughout that year, changing the recordings regularly. At year’s end, he presented a citation for the idea, saying that it had revolutionized his school.
Classical music has the power to organize the brain while listening to it as background music while you are doing your homework , to help you relax after a hard day of work or while doing exercises. Begin listening or playing your musical instrument for 30 minutes at a time. It helps because of its highly developed mathematics and therefore exercises the brain as physical exercise exercises the body. For more scientific evidence, medical evidence, test results, and true stories of the world’s scientists, medical doctors, and mathematicians who have studied and played musical instruments since they were children go to The Secret of Teaching Science & Math Through Music by Madeline Frank, Ph.D. Click on the link:https://www.madelinefrankviola.com/the-secret-of-teaching-science-and-math-through-music/
“Musical Notes On Math” teaches your child fractions and decimals, the fun way, through the rhythm of music, Winner of the Parent To Parent Adding Wisdom Award. For more information click on the following link: https://www.madelinefrankviola.com/musical-notes-on-math/ Tips on how to use “Musical Notes On Math” click on the following link: https://www.madelinefrankviola.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/08/pg47.pdf
Spotlight On:
In Elizabeth L. Hamilton and David Hamilton’s November 2008, “Character Builder Newsletter, Issue 71, the focus was on “Courage”. The issue included a questionnaire on “How Courageous Are You?” and the “Maze of Courage- An Activity for Every Age” The maze includes convictions, respect, responsibility, caring, honesty and courage”. Every month Mrs. Hamilton focuses on an important character building trait needed by all of us. Two of her marvelous Character Builder Series books are “Courage” and a “Date with Responsibility”. These are wonderful books for teenagers and their parents. To read their Character Builder Newsletters each month and find out more about their books click on the link below:
http://www.character-in-action.com/character-builder-newsletter.htm
Testimonials on “Madeline’s Monthly Article & Musical Tips” & “One Minute Radio Show”:
https://www.madelinefrankviola.com/madelines-one-minute-radio-show/
“Great job on your recent newsletter, Oct 2008, Madeline! It sparkles like you do!” …”Your work is sensational!” (Dec 2008 issue) Jeff Haebig, Ph.D. Blogging http://body-brainboogie.blogspot.com/
To read Dr. Haebig’s new blog articles each month and boost your attention exercise your body and brain in“Five Minutes” try his Body Brain Boogie, “Classical Music Expands My Mind”, to the Classical Music of Tchaikovsky’s 1812 Overture. Click on the following link and give it a try!
http://body-brainboogie.blogspot.com/
“You have really developed it well over the few years you’ve been writing it, and it offers great help to your readers. The article on whether or not music can hurt you is excellent!” (March 2008 Newsletter) “Your newsletters continue to be appealing, informative, and worthy of note.” (November 2008 Newsletter) Elizabeth L. Hamilton, President/CEO of Quiet Impact ® Inc. Best-selling author of the Character-in Action ® Books
http://www.character-in-action.com/index.htm
A Teacher’s Hands on Testimonial on using what she learned from Dr. Madeline Frank’s June 2008 workshops for teachers and students:
Mrs. I, a fourth-grade reading, language arts, and history teacher for York County School District in Virginia, has been using many of Dr. Frank’s “10 Creative Ways to Inspire Students & Curb Teachers Burn Out” ,“The Teacher’s 11 Secrets to Success” , and 10 Secrets to Stop Students Boredom, Inspire Them & Make Them Smarter” in her fourth grade class August. –Dec 2008. Below is Mrs. I’s list of how she put Dr. Frank’s creative tips into action:
1) She began preparing for her new students, a month before the semester began, by studying their files , to more effectively deal with their problems.
2) On the very first day of school, students were informed about procedures and practiced them.
3) Mrs. I dressed appropriately and at times dressed to reflect the theme of the lesson or story.
4) Mrs. I prepared daily so that time was spent on learning activities and not preparation during school time.
5) She encourages her students to do well and gives examples that students can relate to of why it is important to do well and stay in school.
6) Students know that Mrs. I take’s an interest in them and tries to see the good in each student and looks for positive things to say about her students.
7) Classical music is played. This helps students quiet down, stay calm, and focus more on their work with fewer distractions. They really enjoy the Classical music and ask for it.
8) Students are spoken to in private, concerning behavioral issues and are not embarrassed in front of other students.
9) Cooperative learning groups and differentiation are used in the classroom. Students get to be a part of completing tasks successfully as a group in a fun but challenging atmosphere.
10) Articulation, inflection, and timing are encouraged when reading and when learning key phrases and clues.
Mrs. I says “that by using Dr. Frank’s tips, a classroom environment is created where students want to come to school. They enjoy learning, and every child finds a measure of success.”
“Banding Together New Horizons Band Gives Adults New Musical Direction” (Dec 5, 2008) by Charlotte Prong Parkhill from the Guelph Mercury.com. The power of learning a musical instrument for seniors.
http://news.guelphmercury.com/News/article/412375#
“Music to My Ears” (Dec 5, 2008) by Phil Galewitz from the PalmBeachPost.com. Martin Memorial Medical Center realizes the value of live Classical music for their patients! “Offered through a partnership between Martin Memorial and the Arts Council of Martin County, the healing arts Program is aimed at engaging patients and visitors with soothing music to promote a therapeutic atmosphere.” Miguel Coty, hospital spokesman, says “The performing arts can play an integral role in the healing process. We felt that music might help reduce the stress of hospitalization for patients and visitors, particularly during the holiday season.”
http://www.palmbeachpost.com/blogs/content/shared
Creativity and Aging : Could You Compose Classical Music When You’re 100? Elliott Carter Can. (Dec. 10, 2008) by Anna Kuchment from Newsweek Magazine. On Dec. 11, 2008, composer Elliot Carter turns 100 years old. He studied philosophy and math in the 1920s at Harvard. “His music is based on complex rhythmic and harmonic patterns. Orchestra musicians have likened it to solving advanced mathematical equations—different instruments move at different speeds, forcing musicians to count out their parts carefully to avoid getting lost. Carter’s more recent pieces, while still rhythmically complex, are less dense and more accessible than what he’s written in the past.” Dr. Gene Cohen, director of the Center on Aging, Health & Humanities at George Washington University says “The very act of engaging one’s mind in creative ways directly affects health.” Cohen in 2001 began a study of 150 adults ages 65 to 100 to examine the effects of various pursuits on their well-being. The control group was engaged in noncreative community activities and the other group participated in community-based art programs. After one year, Cohen found that the group engaged in creative activities, such as painting or singing in a choir, had started fewer new medications, experienced fewer falls and made fewer doctor’s visits than the control group.” Dr. Cohen says, “Anything that stimulates the brain, reduces stress, and promotes a more balanced emotional response will trigger positive changes in the body.” To read more on the amazing Elliot Carter click on the following link:
http://www.newsweek.com/id/173346
“Choral Group Tremble Clefs Sings Through Parkinson’s Disease” (Dec 9, 2008) by Ryan Jackson, for the East Valley Tribune in Phoenix. Speech therapist Karen Hensley began the Tremble Clefs Choir in 1994 “to stretch and move to music and in doing so they say they are strengthening their voices and their bodies. The Tremble Clefs hope to keep members active and engaged, sharing an enjoyable activity, resulting in a new-found energy and a sense of accomplishment.”
http://www.eastvalleytribune.com/story/132125
This January if you have a question about the power of music for education and healing … what would your specific question be? Click on the link below and look on the left side to where it says ask Madeline a question:https://www.madelinefrankviola.com/contact-madeline-frank/
Evidence & Articles supporting the benefits of classical music in your daily life, in the Public School Classrooms, and while doing homework after school:
Mrs. S teaches 7th grade Math at Davis Middle School in Hampton, VA.: “Students perform better on tests and quizzes while listening to Mozart Symphonies in the background..” (Dec 1, 2008)
Mrs. I’s fourth grade reading, writing, and math class in the York County Public School District in Virginia. “During the summer of 2008, I taught students from all the schools in the county. About the middle of the term, I decided to start playing classical music while students worked independently. I noticed that students were more focused on tasks than they had been previously while doing independent work. They also talked to each other less. One day, when I forgot to turn on the music, a number of the students came up to me and reminded me to turn it on. At the end of the term, all the students had reached their academic goals in both subjects, (reading and math) and most had gone way beyond their goals. (Most of the student’s scores went up 15% to 36% higher.) I know that the atmosphere that was created by the classical music contributed a lot to this.” (Sep 24, 2008)
Mrs. C’s high school math class in Colorado: “The students asked for music in class. I told them I wouldplay only Mozart. At first they objected but soon decided they liked the music, because it made them feel better and able to focus more on their lessons. Consequently, not only did the grades get better, so did the discipline. Then the students began requesting Mozart. “
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 the last five years of her teaching career.
Mrs. JC had her fourth grade reading class of 22 students, listening to Mozart and other classical music 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. J has 3 children, ages 16, 12, and 8 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”