The operating room of a hospital is a highly stressful place. Surgeons and assistants have to be extremely attentive, moving quickly but carefully. Playing music during surgeries has been shown to relax the staff and the patients. Some of the benefits that extend to the recovery room are lower heart rate, blood pressure and reduced […]
Doris Day and nostalgic music of the 60's
This morning on CBS Sunday Morning there was a special feature on Doris Day. It brought back sooooo many memories of going to the movies on Saturday afternoons in the 50’s and 60’s and watching movies like this and singing these songs in my head for weeks afterwards. Everybody loved Doris Day and I was […]
Julie Andrews is alive and well: the gift of music
Last night I had the fantastic opportunity to go see and hear Julie Andrews in person. I was so excited when I heard she was coming to Louisville because I’ve been a huge fan of hers ever since I saw Mary Poppins many moons ago. I’ve followed her career with great interest and found her […]
What does the unborn baby hear: the importance of her sonic environment
Have you wondered what your unborn child really hears? According to Giselle E. Whitwell, a pre-natal music therapist in Los Angeles, “Uterine sounds form a “sound carpet” over which the mother’s voice in particular appears very distinct and which the prenate gives special attention because it is so different from its own amniotic environment. These […]
Do you know how music affects YOUR brain?
Of all my blog topics that I write about, the topic of music and the brain seems to generate the most response and the most comments and questions. I can see why too! Everybody loves music although taste in music varies radically from pop, rock and jazz to symphonies, chamber music and opera. Then there […]