The first soldiers killed in battle are the musicians, for music’s power to inspire. It can change a person’s mood in minutes. It can give form to otherwise incoherent, nascent feelings. Music can take years off a world-weary spirit…
Read MoreIt was a damp Seattle evening in May, as I settled into my seat at Benaroya Hall to hear the Seattle Symphony. I was attending an event with a friend, and it was our “pre Mother’s Day treat” to ourselves…
Read MoreAll through my life I have listened to the radio and there are some iconic songs that immediately take me back in time. My first memories are of Perry Como singing “Magic Moments”. I must have only been around four or five years old when I first heard it…
Read MoreLearning to play a musical instrument is something that many of us have considered doing at some point. As well as being fun and providing a great sense of achievement, there are many health benefits of playing an instrument…
Read MoreDo you listen to music on a regular basis? Maybe you tune the radio dial to a favorite station while you cook or pop in your earbuds when you head out for a walk. Personally, I’m such a dinosaur that I still enjoy the CDs from my large…
Read MoreMy mom died when I was 35 years old. She was only 58. She’s been gone a long time now and sadly, memories do have a way of fading. Here’s one memory I do have. And it comes to me whenever I hear a certain song. Let me explain…
Read MoreThe music of my youth was more than melody and words. It was a kind of guidance into adult life, a soundtrack for thoughts and feelings that I didn’t know how to reach on my own but were given to me by the likes of Carole King, Joni Mitchell, Paul Simon, and James Taylor…
Read MoreAbout 10 years ago, I found myself in an extremely stressful work situation that I hoped would improve, and I tried to keep a positive attitude. The highlight of my day was my morning subway ride, as I people-watched and listened to music…
Read MoreI’ve played piano to entertain myself since I was a kid. Until my 60s, I didn’t realize how good it is for my mind. When I found out reading and playing music staves off memory deterioration, I was all in. Alzheimer’s Disease lurks in my family tree…
Read MoreMusic is a fantastic elixir for the soul and a powerful force in our lives. It has always been part of my story from when I was a kid playing the violin in retirement homes. And I’m sure you know very well firsthand how music can brighten your life…
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