Christine Gabbadon | Music and power of healing

Music feeds your soul, whatever your personal preference may be. The word music itself is derived from the Greek origin meaning “to think” and can influence mood and affect well-being. Music is also known as the universal language and cuts across social, cultural and language barriers.

According to Wikipedia, “the ability to perceive emotion in music is said to develop early in childhood and improve significantly throughout development. The capacity to perceive emotion in music is also subject to cultural influences, and both similarities and differences in emotion perception have been observed in cross-cultural studies”.

Music therapy is increasingly being used in conjunction with conventional medicine in the holistic management of various illnesses, from asthma to neurological disorders like Parkinson’s Disease, epilepsy and stroke. Those who listen to music prior to surgery and during radiation therapy seem to require less anxiety medication.

It is now common to hear pre-recorded music in doctor’s waiting rooms, dental surgery rooms and operating theatres. Listening to music has also been shown to improve pain perception and reliance on medication in conditions such as sickle cell disease and other painful medical conditions.

BENEFITS OF MUSIC EDUCATION

There is also evidence that the benefits of music education and playing in an orchestra include improved social skills, teamwork and responsibility and respect for the musical instrument. There are also cognitive benefits, including improved math scores and general enjoyment and well-being.

Over two years ago, the Immaculate Conception High School (ICHS) Symphony Orchestra students were planning their concert season when the COVID-19 lockdown started. Plans were put on hold indefinitely and the orchestra went into virtual hibernation. This, compounded by schools being forced into distance learning mode, deprived students of their beloved stress relief.

In existence for over 25 years, the student orchestra, under the leadership of Steven Woodham, has provided a well-needed panacea to many negative influences that children experience in our society today. Not confined to Immaculate students only, the orchestra includes students from other schools, including boys. They are also often joined by past students and guest performers such as the Jamaica Military Band which performed with them on the Abeng tour in 2019.

A treat for music lovers

Maestro Woodham says “the principal role of music education is in developing positive social skills. In a creative way, it gives structure and discipline to learning which positively impacts academic achievement”.

The ICHS Symphony Orchestra, on November 6, will present two fundraising concerts at 1 p.m. and 5 p.m. at the Karl Hendrickson Auditorium at Jamaica College. The concerts are being held under the auspices of the ICHS Alumnae Association’s graduating class of 1972, as part of their efforts to leave a legacy for the school. Funds will go towards orchestral instruments and their maintenance, as well as scholarships for deserving students.

Patron of the concerts is the Professor Dr Shirley Thompson who is of Jamaican parentage and is the first person of African heritage to be made a professor of music in Europe. The concerts promise to be a treat for music lovers and will include classical favourites as well as selections by contemporary and Jamaican composers. The students are eager to perform after the dreary months of isolation at home when they were encouraged to practise away from their peers or in the virtual environment.

It is hoped that the concerts will be beneficial in elevating the mood and healing the emotions of patrons after the negative effects of the pandemic. It will also be available for livestream and delayed viewing at https://spurropen.com/ichsorchestra.

I conclude with this quote from Dr Debasish Mridha, American physician and philosopher:“Music can heal the wounds which medicine cannot touch.”

Dr Christine Gabbadon is a paediatrician, ICHS alumna and voluntary secretary ICHS Orchestra Event Planning Committee 2022. Send feedback to ichsorchestra2022@gmail.com