Michelle Davis Orchetra Vice-preident


MUSIC MIRACLES


This quote sums up exactly how I would describe the power of music: “With the right music you either forget everything or remember everything” (Author Unknown). When it has been a particularly stressful day, and I need something to take my mind off of negative events that happened, I listen to Bach, or, even better, I play one of the movements of his cello suites on my instrument. Like many great composers, Bach’s music is so powerful and diverse; it touches my heart in indescribable ways. For a brief moment, my mind shifts from feeling pessimistic, to being totally enamored by the harmonically rich and complex music. Time seems to stand still, yet passes by so quickly. Because I am more aware of what I’m doing, I have more love, more wisdom, and more clarity; I feel refreshed, alive and focused. I forget the negativity of the past, ignore the things I have to do in the future, and I just experience great joy. In essence, I have more self- awareness.


According to many experts in the field of education, one of the most important things that students can accomplish in school is to realize their full potential by enjoying the process of learning. One such book that teaches us how to enjoy life and learning


summer 2017 | www.mmea.net


more fully is The Power of Now: A Guide to Spiritual Enlightenment, by Eckhart Tolle. He clearly states that in order to lead a more fulfilling life, the present moment is all you have, and NOW should be the primary focus. Performing and creating music can provide these very moments in our young musicians. “Time isn’t precious at all,” he says, “because it is an illusion. What you perceive as precious is not time but the one point that is out of time: The Now. That is precious indeed. The more you are focused on time—past and future—the more you miss the Now, the most precious thing there is.” Tolle goes on to state, “All negativity is caused by an accumulation of psychological time and denial of the present. Unease, anxiety, tension, stress, worry - all forms of fear - are caused by too much future, and not enough presence. Guilt, regret, resentment, grievances, sadness, bitterness, and all forms of non-forgiveness are caused by too much past, and not enough presence.” Without even realizing it, Tolle underscores the very reason why we all feel better when we are performing music, and why we strive to recreate that moment of pure joy in making music. Experiencing, creating and performing music is crucial to the total development of a child’s emotional and physical


well-being. I believe it is one of the most captivating and enlightening things students can experience. Many more well known spiritual leaders and authors like Tolle agree that to lose oneself in an activity is a way to become more in tune with who you are and how you feel. And isn’t that what we all want for our students: to grow up to be healthy, happy and productive members of our global society?


Not only do I believe music can be a guide to enlightenment, I also believe that music can trigger otherwise forgotten memories. There is no doubt in my mind that music has the power to heal, to bring peace to the world, to relax the mind, and to change lives. Over the course of my career and in my personal experiences, I have witnessed what I call “music miracles.” Music has also worked many small miracles for my family and me. I can give you countless examples of my grandfather, who suffered from dementia in his later years, truly “awakening” when listening to me play my instrument. Throughout his life, he played violin. He wasn’t terrific at it --his own words--but it would make him so happy. As my grandfather’s dementia worsened,


See DAVIS, p. 24 23


Page 1  |  Page 2  |  Page 3  |  Page 4  |  Page 5  |  Page 6  |  Page 7  |  Page 8  |  Page 9  |  Page 10  |  Page 11  |  Page 12  |  Page 13  |  Page 14  |  Page 15  |  Page 16  |  Page 17  |  Page 18  |  Page 19  |  Page 20  |  Page 21  |  Page 22  |  Page 23  |  Page 24  |  Page 25  |  Page 26  |  Page 27  |  Page 28  |  Page 29  |  Page 30  |  Page 31  |  Page 32  |  Page 33  |  Page 34  |  Page 35  |  Page 36  |  Page 37  |  Page 38  |  Page 39  |  Page 40  |  Page 41  |  Page 42  |  Page 43  |  Page 44  |  Page 45  |  Page 46  |  Page 47  |  Page 48  |  Page 49  |  Page 50  |  Page 51  |  Page 52  |  Page 53  |  Page 54  |  Page 55  |  Page 56  |  Page 57  |  Page 58  |  Page 59  |  Page 60