There is a current view from certain segments of society that music is some kind of frill; that it is not essential to the social lubrication of a society. The video here shows quite a different picture; music moves in unique ways.
I recently had the the good fortune to be in New Orleans at the start of the Revolution Social and Pleasure Club parade. The Social and Pleasure Clubs in New Orleans take turns in parading on an almost weekly basis. They act as communities within a community, and music plays a huge role in making them work. And its hard not to be smiling when you see and hear how much joy and pride in self and community comes out of the musicians and dancers.
If you click on the link below, it will take you to the MTC Studio Youtube page where the video now lives. Enjoy.
http://www.youtube.com/user/musictherapystudio#p/a/u/0/SqKmMsOdhU4
Did you know that this week is Brain Awareness Week? I have had the privilege of working with a young man with Agenesis of the Corpus Callosum (ACC) for the past two years. In more severe cases of ACC, the person is born without a Corpus Callosum, and in milder cases it is not fully developed. In essence, the left and right side of the brain are not connected properly. Here is an interesting ad that demonstrates what each side of the brain is responsible for:
(Text from above)
Left Brain: I am the left brain. A scientist. A mathematician. I love the familiar. I categorize. I am accurate. Linear. Analytical. Strategic. I am practical. Always in control. A master of words and language. Realistic. I calculate equations and play with numbers. I am order. I am logic. I know exactly who I am.
Right Brain: I am the right brain. I am creativity. A free spirit. I am passion. Yearning. Sensuality. I am the sound of roaring laughter. I am taste. The feeling of sand beneath bare feet. I am movement. Vivid colors. I am the urge to paint on an empty canvas. I am boundless imagination. Art. Poetry. I sense. I feel. I am everything I wanted to be.
Since people with ACC have trouble sending information from one side of the brain to the other, they often have problems with motor development, language skills, cognitive delays and social skills.
Music uses both the logical and creative sides of the brain at the same time. Listening to and playing music creates stronger neural pathways between brain hemispheres, which results in faster access to complex information and better communication between the sections of the brain, on both sides. This is the basic premise behind the “Mozart effect”, and reinforces using Music Therapy to strengthen neural pathways in the brains of people with ACC.
For more information on the brain and to give both sides of your brain a test, visit the NODCC website.
Get ready!! MTC is going to be very busy for the next month. Here are some upcoming events you should keep in mind:
February 19th: Be sure to check out Don’s band, BFunk at the Cottage Bistro. I heard from a reliable source that this performance will include a light show!! And be sure to try the cheesecake when you need a break from dancing.
March 4th: Winter Extravangza, Coast Capital Playhouse, White Rock, BC. This is a fundraiser for the Rec and Leisure Program at Semiahmoo House Society (which is a program run solely on donations!). Come and see the Rec Rockers (aka Wreck Rockers) make some noise, and the Musical Theatre group perform a musical version of “Around the World in Eighty Days”. You never know what is going to happen, and will not be disappointed! Tickets are 15 dollars and are available through Semiahmoo House Society at 15306 24th Ave or by calling 604-536-1242.
March 10th: VASS Cup Race (see previous blog entry for more information). Go Don Go!
March 13th: Soul of the World Multicultural Choir is giving a performance to conclude the portion of the project that was generously sponsored by an EmbraceBC grant from the BC government. This is sure to be an exciting and lively performance. Katherine will be leading a full band which will include three African drummers.
Be sure to stay tuned for more info on all of these events! Everyone has been working very hard on these and we can’t wait to share them with you!
Katherine
Someone told me recently that nothing magical happens at midnight on New Years Eve. Generally I would be inclined to agree, except for tonight something magical will happen: MTC Studio Inc. will officially open. It has been a long process to get here, with some sacrifices along the way, but I know it will be worth it. With the merging of private practices into a corporation we will be able to share resources and therefore better serve our clients. I am so lucky to be a part of the MTC family, and I can not wait to stop doing paperwork and get back to doing what we love: making music with our clients.
Sincerely,
Your new President!
2010 seems like a blur as we approach 2011. My annual transformation to ski instructor and back has occurred safely again, and a bit of a holiday happened somewhere in there. New Year’s Eve will be rung in behind the 88s again – I have lost count of how many, but I had one off in the 1980′s and it’s been Auld Lang Syne in the key of F for all the others.
The incorporation finally happened, and we are, at the stroke of midnight, MTC Studio, Inc. The change is largely administrative, but what a sea of paper to get there. We look forward to a great year in 2011, and are thankful for all the good fortune we had in 2010. Happy New Year.
Mike Ferguson has made it to the finalist stage for the Fraser McPherson Jazz Scholarship. This scholarship is Canada’s premier jazz scholarship and the level of finalists is always extremely high. I have had the privilege of sitting on several juries for the young musicians who vie for this award, and all I can say is that I am glad my career is established. These young people are dedicated, brilliant players who all deserve kudos for making it to this level.
MTC Studio has proudly been a supporter of this scholarship for decades now. Mike is not only a great young player who plays way older than his years, but a great teacher who knows how to inspire others. We are proud to have him on the team and wish him the best at the finalist auditions. He embodies the spirit on Fraz.
We are pleased to release the new look MTCStudio website.
