I wrote an article for the East Lansing online newspaper ELinfo to encourage people to join the New Horizons band. My original article had references to information you can find in google if you look up music and health and a portion of that original article is below. But because I didn’t cite any references in my original, the ELi editor decided to remove the health benefit comments and she did a good job of organizing some of my original thoughts about how fun it is to play in a band. The published version of the article is here on the EL info site.
But since I am not a newspaper and use this forum to present my personal opinions, I felt that it would be OK for me to make reference to health benefits here in my personal blog, even if not scientifically proven, so that is what I have done below. While I have not cited any references to research, most of the suggestions of health benefits are based on some limited research studies and you can probably look up most of them by doing a quick google or literature search. Beat the Blues with Music Adults can beat the winter blues by learning to play music. Michigan State University’s Community Music School has opportunities for adults of any age and any musical skill level to learn to play an instrument. New Horizons was originally started in 1991 at the Eastman School of Music by Dr. Roy Ernst, the program was designed to give adults the opportunity to learn and play band instruments in a low-pressure friendly setting. The program was opened to both adult beginners and those that had not played in many years. In the time since the first classes in Rochester (NY), interest has grown, and similar New Horizons music programs have been started in hundreds of locations around the world. In 2003, local music educator Patti Kroth, developed a chapter of New Horizons Band through the MSU Community Music School. The idea for that original band was well received and membership has remained steady with well over 60 adults that currently play in one of three different New Horizons bands taught by four different directors, including two concert bands and a jazz band. New members are welcome to join any time and prospective members are encouraged to sit in on a rehearsal to see what it is like. While it may seem daunting to take on a challenge like learning an instrument, especially for adults, the New Horizons Music program is designed to be a less intimidating environment. Learning as a group offers social support from others going through the same experiences. In addition to the enjoyment of learning and playing a variety of different types of music, there are many health benefits associated with music. Playing in a music group can help beat the blues by offering a venue for self-expression and a sense of belonging through social interaction. One of the most rewarding aspects of playing is performing for outreach programs. Seeing the expressions of people listening to and enjoying music that is familiar to them is a unique experience. In addition to the satisfaction from performances, research has shown that playing music can help reduce depression and blood pressure, improve memory as well as improve quality of life with perceived improvement in health and self-esteem. Many of these health improvements are similar to what would be expected if one were to start an exercise routine. So, for adults learning to play music, an instrument can be like an exercise machine for the brain. The new semester for New Horizons Music at the MSU Community Music school starts at the end of January and, for the first time, will include a New Horizons Strings program. Anyone that is looking for an entry or reentry point for playing in a string orchestra or playing a wind/percussion instrument in a concert band is welcome to contact the Community Music School at (517)-355-7661.
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Outreach performances, where we get to play for the community, is one way that I as a member of a New Horizons band can give back, but it is more than that. Really, I should say that it is more selfish than that. While I truly hope that the people listening to us playing are enjoying the music, the excitement of the performance is mine. The fulfillment, the accomplishments are mine. I am a very selfish person. But I also enjoy the feeling of helping others to find those same feelings. It is often a complicated duel between the dual feelings of outreach and selfishness that sometimes makes me sit back and question my motives. Am I here for others' enjoyment or am I here to help myself? My daughter recently asked me what I did when I had my mid-life crisis, that time in your life when you assess your accomplishments and regrets and do something wild and out of character. I told her "I joined the band!" She laughed. It made me think though, about why I joined the band. Am I here to perform for others or am I here to help myself? Well heck, you only get one chance at this life, as far as I know, so I'm doing it for myself. I will continue to play in a band because it is something that I have wanted to do since I was a kid. I will encourage others to join the band and orchestra so that I will have a place to play and so I can feel the contentment from their experiences of excitement. I will continue to be selfish and play those outreach concerts so that I can get the gratification from watching an audience enjoy our music. And I hope others do enjoy our music and that it makes them feel good or remember good experiences in their own lives. I’ve heard it several times before. After we perform a concert and then suggest to the audience that anyone can join our group, that you don’t have to be seasoned musician to play in the New Horizons Band, the comment that seems to keep coming back is “I’m not good enough to play in your band”.
I don’t want to sound too negative about my own group but if you heard us in rehearsals, you might understand why we all laugh at comments like that. It is not that we are bad in rehearsal but you will see that we are not professional musicians. You will see that we are all learning as we go. As we learn we get better and finally by the time we do a concert, we have been practicing for several week, and we do sound pretty good. The music is fun to play but it is music that has been written so that musicians with a wide range of skills might all be able to participate. If you are an absolute beginner, it may take a little time to be able to play an entire piece, but that is where the New Horizons group and philosophy has the advantage. If you only play one note, you are contributing to the group sound. One thing we do practice more than anything else, is the beginnings and ends of songs. So if you are new, concentrate on how a song ends. How the song ends will determine the impression the audience leaves with after your performance. If we end well, most people will not even remember if we missed notes in the middle somewhere. And that is probably what happened for you if you have heard us before and felt that we were too good for you to be able to join. So if you have ever dreamed of playing in a band or orchestra, visit us at a rehearsal and see how bad, or good we can be. |
AuthorDaniel Zarka Archives
March 2019
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