Feedback Friday: September 2015

Every day in our music therapy sessions there are spontaneous statements from clients, families, and staff that provide valuable feedback on the work we do. In an effort to capture those moments, we initiated Feedback Friday.

For this months Feedback Friday blog post, I don’t want to share a story from a session. At least, not exactly. If you like us on Facebook, you might know that we have been posting quotes from Oliver Sacks this month. He was a great neuroscientist who wrote many books and articles, including a book about music and the brain called Musicophilia. Here is a quote from that book.

One does not need to have any formal knowledge of music – nor, indeed, to be particularly “musical” – to enjoy music and to respond to it at the deepest levels. Music is part of being human, and there is no human culture in which it is not highly developed and esteemed.

Dr. Oliver Sacks

I wanted to share this quote with you as an end to our month long tribute to Oliver Sacks, because I feel as though it explains so much about why music, and music therapy, is beneficial. Every day in my music therapy sessions, I see my clients fully enjoying and participating in the music making. Many have no formal knowledge of music. If you asked them, they wouldn’t use the term “musical” to describe themselves. In fact, I can think of two right now that definitely would not call themselves musical. However, you are able to see not only how the music effects them, but how they are able to change as a result of the musical experiences.

At music therapy, you don’t have to know the note name or the correct musical terms. You don’t have to know all the important composers and what they have contributed to music. You don’t even have to know the name of the biggest pop star. Music can still reach you at the “deepest levels” and help you to reach personal and functional goals.

I, personally, will miss Oliver Sacks. But we will always have his great work, and wonderful quotes, to remember him by!

Now its your turn to share. Do you have a song that touches you on a deep level? Or maybe a story about how music has helped you or a loved one, even if you are not exactly musical? We would love to hear from you!

Maybe you want some more information about music therapy for you or someone you know. We would love to talk with you! Contact Darcy via email at darcy@noteableprogressions.com or by calling our office at (240) 394-9399