Editorial Musings

Last month's article on "Music for Times of War" really brought in lots of comments and amazingly enough it was all positive. That's not to say that people were pro-war or anything like that, they just seem to think that this was a unique slant on a difficult topic. If you missed the article, please go back to the March e-zine (in ezine archive on the HME website) and catch this one.

I'd love to get more dialogue from all my readers and hear about other war tunes that you know of or remember. For example, patients at the hospital where I work have recounted to me that when they were children during the WWII era, they were taught some very negative rhymes and chants in school about Hitler and the Japanese and all of the people that the Americans were fighting; things that absolutely would not be allowed together. Most of these patients had forgotten about this and when they began to recall these rhymes and chants they were rather appalled that they had been taught them in school by teachers.

My point was that music has been very helpful both to the soldiers, in keeping their morale and their energy levels up, but also to the people left behind to give them hope that the "boys" would return safely. Many readers commented on the picture I painted of my father singing at bedtime with my sister and me, the songs he had learned in the Army. I'd like to include this month a little picture of my Dad in the Army. He served proudly in the Battle of the Bulge.

This month's issue will be somewhat abbreviated and is already late to the internet "presses" because we have an important occasion in our family this month! My first of three daughters is getting married and everyone is scurrying about very busily and excitedly with all the preparations. One of the most exciting things for me, of course, will be the music, not only because I love music and am a professional musician, but because both Julie and her husband-to-be are also professional musicians and graduates of the New England Conservatory of Music. The congregation will be filled with musicians that day, including their professor who volunteered to play, and the music should be simply glorious.

Not surprisingly, I am a fan of the traditional, classical wedding music but whatever music one has played at their wedding or Holy Union, that music becomes very special and meaningful throughout the years. Millions of people around the world hear Mendelssohn's famous Bridal March and immediately picture either their own wedding or one that they have attended or seen on TV or in a movie. Usually it's a positive and powerful association. There are so many pieces of music that are associated with specific events in the Western world. Most graduations that we'll attend this year will use Edward Elgar's "Pomp and Circumstance," and most funerals will use "Amazing Grace." We have our traditional holiday pieces and songs and of course there's "Happy Birthday to You."

What I'd like to suggest is that you try to make some special songs that are YOUR family's songs to sing on specific occasions or have your own special "couples song" that you associate with your own love for each other. Even if you've been with each other for 20 years or more, it's never too late to start creating your own memory banks of "special music" that you think of as "your songs." Then, each time you hear these songs you'll get a warm, loving, cozy feeling and when you're apart, you can put on that CD or just hum that tune as you think of the one you're missing. So easy, but very effective!

September 2003: - Hamilton, Ohio. The Workshop for Daycare providers on "Music in the Daycare setting" went very well. Part II of the content will be presented in the fall. Email Dr. Cash for more information.

Dr. Cash's Hawaii trip has had to be cancelled and will be rescheduled for next year. "My deepest regrets to the beautiful people of Maui. I will see them next year."

Several private workshops scheduled in Louisville: call 502-895-7688 to see if there is room for you.

Topics in May include:

Music and Pain Management
Music with Anxiety and Depression
Toning and Chanting

Read about the newest Calendar updates!

Q: - Dear Chantdoc,

How long before birth should I start playing and singing music to my unborn child?