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Shows * Dances * Parties * Musical-Therapy * Song-List * Past-Performances * Booking-Information
Musical Therapy
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Enjoyable variety of music for Assisted Living and Memory Care
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I have personally experienced the happiness that live music brings, especially to those who require a little added help
in their lives. Whether in assisted or full-care facilities, people can be enriched with live music. Musical memories run deep and joy is often triggered by familiar melodies and lyrics. I have made It my mission to spread joy through live music. |
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Here is an article I wrote on this topic
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Music Improves the Quality of Life
Shakespeare is credited with saying that music hath charm to soothe the savage beast.
He actually said savage breast, which likely indicated that music could calm anger in one’s heart.
In any event, long before Shakespeare, in fact since the time of Aristotle music has been used
for its therapeutic value. In more recent generations, the study of psychology and music
have joined to create a new breed of professional Music Therapists.
Through the use of music, therapists improve physical, psychological,
cognitive, and social functioning for many people.
Even in a much less formal setting music has the potential to change a person’s mood and behavior.
What parent, for example, doesn’t remember singing lullabies to help put their children to sleep? However, music isn’t just for kids. People of all ages and abilities benefit from music therapy.
As a young boy I enjoyed playing piano and accordion. While still a teenager I began performing for people of all ages. I played at senior housing facilities, nursing homes, veterans’ hospitals, mental institutions, and thousands of public and private functions. I love to entertain and make people happy.
In particular, I enjoy watching the different ways people react to music presentations.
Through the years I have heard countless statements such as:
"your music made me remember the good times,” or “forget that I didn’t feel well.”
Frankly, I never wonder why music makes people feel good, it just seems natural that it should!
I remember a woman well into her eighties who appeared cranky and didn’t want to stay
for after-lunch entertainment at a senior facility. Once the music began however,
she smiled profusely and later said she had not felt this good in a long time.
A more extreme example of the power of music has to do with an end-stage Alzheimer patient
who hadn’t spoken in quite some time and even needed help swallowing.
When her bed was rolled out to a hall where music was being performed, she began to sing along.
Her caretakers were amazed as her senses became active enough to
not only recognize the song, but also to sound out some of the words.
Music often causes many to display simple predictable gestures that evoke emotional changes.
For example, more often than not fingers and feet tap unconsciously as people
are happily absorbed in the moment. It is also my experience that healing doesn’t end
when the music fades. Memories of music tend to linger far longer.
Indeed, because of such memories many people are able to replace sadness
with joy for some time to come. I believe these observations and experiences offer
examples of how music really does improve the quality of life.
Len Zazick
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For more information or further discussion of this topic, please Contact me.
You may also call me at 602-739-3832 or send email to Len@popsmusic.com.