Music Therapy: Redefining the Meanings of Sound

The start of each mundane morning is signified by the chirping birds outside my bedroom window. Although the nagging sound of alarms is what leads me to jump out of my subconscious thoughts, it is the sound of nature that follows that keeps me sane.

Birds on a Tree Branch, Photographed by Yelena Malkhasyan, 2020

Although sometimes invisible yet always audible, sounds, especially organized sounds in the form of music, is what truly intrigues me. As a future musicologist and neuroscientist, I am especially interested in the concept of music therapy, and how music can be used to help individuals get through certain barriers in life, whether that be certain mental disorders or simply being a student who is trying to survive through a pandemic. This is why Professor Vesna’s biotechnological art demonstrations with the sound of cells, such as the yeast in water as well as the noise aquarium, especially interested me. These sonic experiences help us to understand the world around us better through both the integration of art and science, breaking the barriers between creativity and science.

 

One of the first global displays of music as a source of therapy during these days of the pandemic was experienced by a part of the world at 11:00 AM, March 20, 2020 (CNN,2020). The roaring sound of the Italian national anthem played, as the citizens of Italy leaned against their balconies and window sills to partake in this collective activity of singing the Italian national anthem. The anthem, as a symbol of the nation and a poetic artwork, is constantly being reimagined by the people who perform and receive it. Although an anthem belongs to a certain nation, partaking in the act of listening to and appreciating music helps individuals to break the boundaries of borders, countries, and continents. In these uncertain, modern days, the purpose of the anthem, and music as a whole, is constantly being redefined as an artform and a medium, shifting our perspectives of the past and future. Music allows us to redefine our present while the future helps us to reshape the meaning of music as well. It is through these sonic experiences that memories grow stronger and musical creations take up new meanings that may not have existed yet.

 

People applaud Italian’s doctors during a flash mob to raise morale, as the Italian government continues restrictive movement measures to combat the coronavirus outbreak, in Rome, Italy March 14, 2020. (U.S. News, 2020) 

 

Music therapists themselves, including Alyssa Blackburn, have shared their own experiences with continuing their music therapy sessions during COVID-19. Blackburn of NeuroSound Therapy describes music therapy as “using music to reach non-music goals,” such as social, emotional, cognitive, communicative, physical, and educational. Music therapy sessions, especially those for children, are continuing, Blackburn says, in order to create a sense of normalcy and promote the well-being of children, even though they do not have access to the normal school setting (Northern Virginia, 2020). This exemplifies that music, a completely nonverbal form of art, helps individuals understand one another and themselves, even in a remote therapy environment.

 

Music continues to play in multiple places across the world, and especially in the United States. Music therapy graduate student and adjunct professor at Shenandoah University, Lynn Rechel, continues to play music on her front porch every day for the people in her neighborhood, while still maintaining social distancing practices (Winchester Star, 2020).

 

Lynn Rechel Singing on her Porch (Winchester Star, 2020)

 

The continuity of music therapy and art therapy programs have been maintained in UC Davis as well, where therapists like Katie Lorain and Tori Steeley are using art to help pediatric patients to find a medium of expression remotely through Zoom. Steely, a music therapist, continues to provide musical instruments and Ipads to patients in the pediatric unit, creating music and group activities for the children (UC Davis Health, 2020).

 

Art therapist Katie Lorain leads an art group through Zoom. (UC Davis Health, 2020)

 

I really believe in music as having a healing element. Although the sound waves may be invisible, the music itself can be completely palpable and tangible. Music is a malleable art form in nature; we are able to create meanings and go beyond boundaries through music.

 

As a final note, I would like to share with you all a performance I have quite enjoyed watching and re-watching during these times at home as a sort of my own music therapy. Here is a performance of FKJ surrounded by almost complete emptiness in Salar de Uyuni in Bolivia yet the music creates a sense of fullness amongst nature. I highly recommend watching the first 10 minutes if you have the chance! Hope you enjoy it!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sCNlt5nvSI8&t=305s

 

“How a Local Music Therapist Is Helping Clients Get through COVID-19.” Northern Virginia Magazine, 6 Apr. 2020, www.northernvirginiamag.com/culture/culture-features/2020/03/26/how-a-local-music-therapist-is-helping-clients-get-through-covid-19/.

“Italians Sing Out From Balconies During Coronavirus Lockdown.” U.S. News & World Report, U.S. News & World Report, 2020, www.usnews.com/news/world/articles/2020-03-14/italians-sing-out-from-balconies-during-coronavirus-lockdown.

“Keeping Spirits up in a Time of COVID-19.” The Winchester Star, 30 Mar. 2020, www.winchesterstar.com/coronavirus/keeping-spirits-up-in-a-time-of-covid-19/article_4ecfaa23-3b96-547f-bfa9-a7a293a238b6.html.

NOISE AQUARIUM, noiseaquarium.com/.

“Pediatric Patients Connect to Art, Music Therapy via Zoom during COVID-19 Pandemic.” UC Davis Health, 2020, health.ucdavis.edu/health-news/newsroom/pediatric-patients-connect-to-art-music-therapy-via-zoom-during-covid-19-pandemic/2020/04.

Spary, Sara. “Italians Sing Together as Radio Stations Unite to Broadcast the National Anthem.” CNN, Cable News Network, 20 Mar. 2020, www.cnn.com/2020/03/20/europe/italian-radio-national-anthem-intl-scli/index.html.