The Music of New Year's Eve

Well, do you have big plans for tonight? There are so many traditions related to New Year's Eve and it's certainly not a big surprise. This is the classic "turning point" in everyone's year. No matterwhat religion you are or what your belief system, it's the classic time to make big behavioral changes. People decide to quit smoking, exercise more, lose weight, become more assertive...all kinds of things! For people who love music, it might be a good time to dust off an instrument, pick up a new instrument, join a choir or a band or a community orchestra. Music lifts the spirit, it infuses you with energy, it calms a racing mind, it soothes the soul. The song "Auld Lang Syne" has been played for decades, if not centuries, on New Year's Eve. Guy Lombardo popularized the familiar saxophone rendition in 1939. He first broadcast it on his radio special, The Lombardo New Year's Eve Party, which started in 1929 and is the longest-running annual program in radio history. Lombardo died in 1977, but his saxophone rendition of Auld Lang Syne has immortalized him in western culture, becoming the definitive song of the new year . The words are appropriate:

Anglicized translation: Should old acquaintance be forgot,and never brought to mind ?Should old acquaintance be forgot,and auld lang syne ? CHORUS: For auld lang syne, my dear, for auld lang syne, we'll take a cup o’ kindness yet, for auld lang syne. And surely you’ll buy your pint cup !And surely I’ll buy mine !And we'll take a cup o’ kindness yet,for auld lang syne. CHORUS We two have run about the hills,and pulled the daisies fine ;But we’ve wandered many a weary foot,since auld lang syne. CHORUS We two have paddled in the stream,from morning sun till dine (dinner time) ;But seas between us broad have roaredsince auld lang syne. CHORUS And there’s a hand my trusty friend !And give us a hand o’ thine !And we’ll take a right good-will draught,for auld lang syne. CHORUS

Whatever your plans, enjoy the evening and best wishes for a healthy, happy, and prosperous New Year!

Memories of Santa

Everywhere I go, I observe people in their "golden years" with fond memories of Christmas and Santa. Even people who celebrate other religious traditions often seem to have found a way to fit Santa in. There were so many great songs in the 40's and 50's like "I saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus" and "All I Want for Christmas is MY Two Front Teeth." Last night I went to a Christmas party and sure enough, they had invited Santa. Just "for ole times sake" I decided to have my picture taken on his lap! Brings back memories, doesn't it? What do you remember?

Yesterday in Boston

Yesterday I was in Boston, speaking to a lovely group of people at Indian Hill Music School. During the course of the workshop, I asked people to chat among themselves about music that had been significant in their childhoods. One gentleman reported that when he was a child, his mother had bought him an LP of Saint-Saens "Carnival of the Animals" and had played it "incessantly" for him. He further stated that as an adult, he learned that his mother had bought the record with money she saved from quitting smoking! I thought it was very interesting and definitely made this gentleman even more grateful but also more understanding of why perhaps she played it incessantly! What do you think?

What is it about hymns in the Golden Years

This past week-end I went home to help my mother pack and sort through 80 years of boxes, closets, cedar chests, and book cases. Is was quite a walk down memory lane, but one thing that kept us on track was singing and talking about different hymns and the memories that they bring back. I've always felt that music associated with a safe, nurturing place (like a church) and feelings of being loved and protected, creates a bond that can last a lifetime between that music and feeling those feelings. What's the message? If you're in your Golden Years now, listen to this music often. Enjoy the message and the melodies. You ARE loved!

The Power of a Drum Circle

This afternoon I am going to a drum circle! The facilitator will be my dear friend Phyllis Free. I am hoping to have all ages there...from age 6 to about 76. If you've never tried taking part in a drum circle, a true joy awaits you. Everyone is playing a hand drum or a percussion instrument of some sort. We'll have rattles of all kinds, tambourines, maracas, and rain sticks; this in addition to the hand drums. The longer I am in this fantastic field of music healing, the more I believe in intergenerational healing experiences. A drum circle is definitely one! My drum circle today is totally free of charge because I want to get a good crowd in and making an instructional video to put on my website for people! Wish you could be there! If you're interested in being in a drum circle in the future, please email me or call me and we'll get you signed up! Alice

Make some lists...now!

One of the things I've done to prepare for my "golden years" is to make lists of music that I want to hear if I should begin to get a little "foggy" or "forgetful." No one wants to think that might happen but I seen it happen to loved ones as well as to mothers, fathers, and older relatives of dear friends. There is so much research out there that says that the music of our "courting years" can help bring back memories of all kinds, even if the effect only lasts an hour or less. Imagine being able to have 15 minutes of lucidity in an otherwise foreign mental landscape! Money can't buy that but it seems that music can do it. So, I have lists of favorite hymns, pop songs, classical pieces, Christmas songs, etc, that I want my three daughters to play for me if the fog begins to descend. Don't you want to start making some lists right now? Alice

Can Music Keep you Young??

What an excellent question! A reader sent this to me and actually many people have speculated on it through the years. I have spoken all over the world and I'd say the consensus is that actively participating in a musical endeavor, whether singing, dancing, or playing an instrument makes you feel younger and more full of life. Why? Doctors and researchers of all kinds believe that when you engage in a pleasureable activity that you love, and especially if it's aerobic, then endorphins and other "feel-good" neurohormones are released in the brain. The hormones give you a sense of well-being and make you want to do it more and more often. Music definitely falls into this category so sit down at the piano, join the choir, or dust off the fiddle or the flute. You'll be glad you did!

The Amazing Benefits of Music in the Golden Years

First of all, let's define "golden years." Many would say "the time of life after retirement from active work." I'm sure there are any number of ways it could be defined but generally it's the last couple of decades when life takes on a slower pace and we are free to bask in the glow of beautiful memories! What role does music play? A big one for many people! Listening to the tunes we fell in love to, sang to our kids and grandkids makes for really great feelings; oftentimes warm, fuzzy feelings. There is considerable scientific research out there that documents the fact that music can: 1. boost your immune system 2. lower your blood pressure 3. decrease anxiety 4. decrease depression 5. improve circulation I don't know about you, but I think these are all big deals! Begin thinking now about how YOU can put music to work for you and your health. You'll be so glad you did!

Can music keep you young?

You may have read about the studies that were done in senior residences where music from the 40's and 50's was played during the day, in addition to the decor being changed to 40's and 50's era furniture and kitchen looks? This amazing study showed that the residents began to actu and think younger and actually began experiencing better health! I do believe that when you listen to the music of your courting years, things change inside of you...chemically and neurohormonally! You actually do feel better and even if part of it is just distraction, so what!! I say if it helps, and doesn't hurt, and is FREE, go for it!! What do YOU think?? Alice

Do you need a music therapist to do music therapy?

You know, people ask me this all the time and the answer is no! Of course music therapists are trained professionally to administer music to people but if you can carry a tune, play an instrument of any kind or just play some CD's, tapes, or records of the oldies from a person's courting years, you can bring some musical healing. Live music is always better than recorded and most elderly are extremely non-critical and appreciate every effort to be helpful. Give it a try! Dr. Alice Cash

Music with Alzheimer's Patients

The power of music to make a difference in the lives of Alzheimer’s patients is a well-documented phenomenon. It is, of course, a quality of life intervention. It is not going to stop the progression of the disease nor will it slow it down. What music does is to bring the individual an opportunity to experience pleasure and a sense of familiarity and competence when most opportunities for this are rapidly fading. It also provides an opportunity for interaction with family members and friends. Some researchers have observed people standing up from their chairs or wheelchairs and asking someone to dance when certain familiar songs are played. In the hospital where I work we routinely have the nurses and aides get people up dancing to “In the Mood,” “Pretty Baby,” “School Days” and “The Hokey-Pokey.” Oftentimes these same patients would not want to take any exercise at all or interact with another human. Familiar music is the magical intervention that gets them up smiling and moving about, no matter how slowly. We also know from researchers that the mere act of smiling causes the release of endorphins and other feel-good chemicals. For about 30 minutes after the music therapy session, the patients often eat better, are less combative and interact better with staff and fellow patients or family members. The power of music to make a difference in the lives of Alzheimer’s patients is a well-documented phenomenon. It is, of course, a quality of life intervention. It is not going to stop the progression of the disease nor will it slow it down. What music does is to bring the individual an opportunity to experience pleasure and a sense of familiarity and competence when most opportunities for this are rapidly fading. It also provides an opportunity for interaction with family members and friends. Some researchers have observed people standing up from their chairs or wheelchairs and asking someone to dance when certain familiar songs are played. In the hospital where I work we routinely have the nurses and aides get people up dancing to “In the Mood,” “Pretty Baby,” “School Days” and “The Hokey-Pokey.” Oftentimes these same patients would not want to take any exercise at all or interact with another human. Familiar music is the magical intervention that gets them up smiling and moving about, no matter how slowly. We also know from researchers that the mere act of smiling causes the release of endorphins and other feel-good chemicals. For about 30 minutes after the music therapy session, the patients often eat better, are less combative and interact better with staff and fellow patients or family members. As always, live music is preferable to recorded music, but it is easy enough just to sing one-on-one with your family member or loved one. Favorites here are “You Are My Sunshine,” “My Old Kentucky Home,” and “Amazing Grace.” As always, live music is preferable to recorded music, but it is easy enough just to sing one-on-one with your family member or loved one. Favorites here are “You Are My Sunshine,” “My Old Kentucky Home,” and “Amazing Grace.”

Music in the Golden Years

Have you noticed that as we grow older we love songs from our youth more and more? Why is that? Many people have speculated on it and theorized that as people get older they begin to idealize and romanticize their youth. Not everyone of course, but it seems that most of us really love the music of our youth and childhood. It brings back memories of falling in love, being nurtured by parents and grandparents, and having carefree summer days. Am I right? What is the music that you or your grandparents love now? What are the associations for that music?