Music hath charms to soothe the suffering

"There's quite a lot of research on music and healing," said Melinda Gardiner, area coordinator for the New York State Center of Music for Healing and Transition Program based in Copake Falls.

Live music has been shown to relax the body and mind, allowing more effective responses to medical treatment and enhancing the work of the immune system, she said.

Soothing presence

A registered nurse by trade, she also has an interest in alternative medicine and music. Music therapy allows her to combine all of her interests and serve others. After working with cancer patients, car accident victims and the dying, she has found remarkable effects.

"Music calms down those who are agitated. It's very peaceful," she said.

Growing therapy

The 11-course program is opened to musicians with a range of experiences from beginners to professional musicians. Students take courses in music's role in healing, repertoire development and such medical courses as anatomy and physiology. A 20-hour internship is also required.

Several different instruments are played by students: guitar, flute, violin, viola, harp, recorder and even some medieval instruments.

Match game

"We teach students to read the monitors. If the heartbeat is really fast," she noted, "they need to play something at the same speed and then gradually slow down. The heart will follow."

Music can also work wonders for those with senility or Alzheimer's disease, she said. "Playing the music of their youth, like their teenage or young adult years, they will come to," she said. They will often sing and be conscious of that time period.

Growing interest

While music practitioners in this area perform their services on a volunteer basis, Mrs. Gardiner reports that some graduates of the program have been hired by hospitals in other parts of the country.

(For more information on the program, contact Melinda Gardiner at 325-5546.)

(03-20-97) [[In-content Ad]]