A couple of weeks ago, I wrote that “music is powerful medicine.” Exploring this idea further, I was thinking of how we are prescribed different medicines depending on our symptoms. We will take something very different if we have a severe headache, acid reflux, ongoing depression, or something else.
Likewise, the music we may “take” as medicine will change depending on how we are feeling. I remember times when I was anxious about something and a big, bold, heavy metal-ish song popped up on a playlist and I forwarded past it, because in that moment I needed music that would calm my nerves. I thought maybe we could, in a way, “prescribe” music to our fellow chorus members that has helped or benefitted us during one of our many moods.
So far, I have 41 complete question cards. This is approximately 50% of our chorus. Would those of you who have not responded yet, please email Kate at
iccpres@ACIthaca.org the answer to one or both of the following questions? In this way, we can all minister powerful musical medicine to our choral community.
Complete one or both of the following sentences:
“When I am feeling _____________, I like to listen to ________________ (name of song or piece of music) [optional part: because ________________]."
OR
"Listening to ______________________ (name of song or piece of music) always makes me feel ______________ [optional: because___________________]."
Each week I will publish a handful of responses. These are chosen randomly, as I place the cards upside down and pick out a few. I hope that, as we go through this semester, each of us finds a response that really resonates with us! And if you found somebody’s suggestion especially beneficial, perhaps you could find them at rehearsal and let them know.
John Lewis wrote: “When I am ambivalent, I like to listen to a waltz because 3/4 time is my natural space.”
Siu-ling Chaloemtiarana wrote: “When I am nostalgic, I like to listen to Chopin, Brahms, or Rachmaninoff piano works because it touches my heart.”
Jackie Hartnett wrote: “Listening to 'The Lost Words Blessing' always makes me feel both grief and joy.”
Isaac Godshalk wrote: “When I am happy, I like to listen to 'If Not For You' (Dylan).”
Ann Martin wrote: “Listening to spring peepers always makes me feel hopeful because they represent life wakening.”
