Musical Minds

The words in the title of this post could possibly be two of the most brilliant words in the English language- music and minds. It is hard for me to even fathom a world without either of those 2 things and the impact it would have on me as a human being. That was until about 9 months ago.

Over a lunch in downtown Orlando, I was approached and asked to consider starting a choir for people with early stages of memory loss, including Alzheimers and Dementia. A partner of ours, with a local memory care and assisted living home was passionate about there being a place for people that were dealing with this disease. He wanted them to have quality of life if they loved the arts or singing. I have to be honest, although I was intrigued by the idea, I was scared to death. It sounded scary, unknown and impossible to navigate considering we knew nothing of the health side of memory loss. So after conferring with our team and leadership, we decided this was important. If we are dedicated to making the arts affordable and accessible to all then that also meant the beautiful people dealing with this disease. We formed a task force of professionals in our community and rallied all of the resources to come to the table, not only in support but to educate us. We took a journey together on becoming familiar with Alzheimers and Dementia, its effects and the relationship between a caregiver and the one affected.

Before I knew it, I was an advocate of arts and wellness and excited about the launch of our Musical Minds Choir. That first day in August was life changing for me in my walk as an arts leader. As I watched each new singer and their caregiver enter the rehearsal space, it came clear to me how dire this was needed. It was imperative that we create a safe space for these singers to have community and once again be able to open their mouths and create music, something each one of them loved.

Do you know those very brief moments when you forgot a date, a person’s name or something important to you? That brief moment when you forgot where you put your keys or placed your wallet but convinced you left it in that spot you always do? There is a minuscule moment of panic that comes over your heart and mind of not being able to remember. Those are moments of insecurity and helplessness. This is what a person with early stages of memory loss feel constantly as this horrible disease begins to grip the mind. I could see that on the faces of most that entered that first day.

Then the first note was sung from the lips of the singers…..

And everything changed.

Men and women who barely spoke sang out with confidence. Men and women who sat slumped in a chair, sat up and became alive. I saw a sparkle in the eye that sent chills down my back and I saw these amazing people connect the songs they were singing with the memories that made them feel so special. I saw a part of their mind come to life and recognize the splendor of music and what it means. I saw caregivers cry with joy and loved ones connect in a special way that might not have happened in a long time.

Do not tell me that the arts are not powerful and they do not change lives. Yes, we all need medicine to heal our ailments but nothing soothes and heals the soul like music and the arts. I witnessed it that day and every day since in those rehearsals, or in the cancer support community, or by the bedside in a hospital.

We are committed to Musical Minds. We are committed to arts and wellness because it radically makes our hurts more bearable and creates a quality of life. We are committed to the arts because it simply changes lives.

I hope you will have the same commitment.

Much Love,

JV