Enhance Life with Music

When presented with some extra time as a result of the pandemic quarantine this spring, this teen completed her first album of original music and published it on Spotify! Grace Lundeen tells us about the genesis of her song-writing; her story of composing and recording an album; and her experience putting these songs out into the world. Links and notes related to this episode can be found at  http...

In the spirit of the 2020-Tokyo-Summer-Olympics-that-would-have-been, we are highlighting a MUSICAL Olympic event that some listeners may not even be aware of, and that is the equestrian dressage musical freestyle. This event is really the grand finale of all the dressage events – only the top finalists in other Olympic Dressage events advance to the musical freestyle, which is the event that dete...

Sometimes just a small habit adjustment can have a significant course-correction effect. Michael Franti says, "The best songs have positive messages hidden inside, like a positive affirmation." Meaningful words combined with a melody have the ability to integrate messages into our minds in a unique and powerful way. Links and notes related to this episode can be found at  https://mpetersonmusic.co...

An earworm is a song that gets stuck in your head. It's also called "involuntary musical imagery," and about 98 percent of us experience them. We discuss who is most susceptible to earworms, what causes them, what situations are most likely to create them, and – most important – how to get rid of them! Links and notes related to this episode can be found at  https://mpetersonmusic.com/podcast/epis...

Have you ever heard of someone who eagerly began learning to play a musical instrument, excited by the idea of creating music; and before long felt so frustrated and discouraged by the process of translating a page of dots and symbols into meaningful sound that they gave it up and decided they are "just not musical?" Our guest today can relate to that story, and he has dedicated his life to connec...

How can I fulfill the desire to learn a musical instrument this summer – or encourage my child to learn their instrument without nagging?! This episode provides practical tips on structuring time to get the most out of summer while having fun and developing life skills. Bonus: Consciously undertaking a musical project will build deeper memories by forever linking the project to this summer! Links...

"...[S]uccessful movements to advance civil rights for historically marginalized groups relied not just on political action.  Music, culture, art, television, churches, neighborhood groups, and volunteer organizations have played instrumental parts in bringing about change." – Beth Holland and Sarah Silvers, "I Think You're Wrong (But I'm Listening)" One thing I like about this quote is it capture...

Who gets to control the exposure of various songs and artists on playlists? Can playtime and list inclusion be influenced, monetarily or otherwise? How does the industry's general practice compare to legal guidelines and Spotify's terms of use? Industry insider Michael Sloane answers questions about the process and introduces us to the world of playlist curators. Links and notes related to this ep...

Dubbed "the Adele of the preschool crowd" by The New York Times, Laurie Berkner explains the role music plays in children's lives, both in "normal" times and times of anxiety.  She has a special message for Class of 2020 seniors, many of whom first fell in love with music as toddlers because of Laurie's music! Links and notes related to this episode can be found at  https://mpetersonmusic.com/podc...

New and innovative music-making methods can engage even more students in the life-enhancing creative process of music-making. Widely available technology brings with it a plethora of additional opportunities to diversify school music curriculum and ignite the innate love of music in students who may otherwise not be a good fit for traditional school music programs. Links and notes related to this...

Marine veteran Richard Casper's life fell apart when he returned home with combat wounds from his service in Iraq. After nearly giving up, he discovered art and song-writing as therapeutic forms of expression, and he now uses these mediums to help other veterans heal. Richard says of songwriting: "I found out how to tell my story without actually telling my story." Links and notes related to this...

Hip hop culture's core values of social justice, peace, respect, and community make the world's most popular musical genre a relevant and effective therapeutic tool for the marginalized and at-risk population. Hip Hop beat making and culture is successfully utilized across the globe as a mental health, educational, social justice and cross-cultural intervention. Links and notes related to this epi...

Music can preserve culture and be a bridge between cultures. Celebrate Cinco de Mayo with a look at some of the ways music is used to celebrate Mexican history and traditions, as well as promote intercultural connection. Links and notes related to this episode can be found at  https://mpetersonmusic.com/podcast/episode41   Facebook Page Instagram LinkedIn Twitter

MN Opera's Music Out Loud program is influenced by El Sistema, a social development program founded in Venezuela over 40 years ago. Music Out Loud is a program with a social mission that uses music, and other operatic components, in a holistic way to teach academic skills and life skills, AND enrich the community at the same time. Links and notes related to this episode can be found at  https://mp...

Music allows information to bypass areas of the brain that have lost their ability to communicate. And as the music is removed, these new and improved functions remain, continuing to use the new route in the brain that was made possible by the music. The brain can change, learn new things, and re-route information at any point in life. Whether a brain has received a Parkinson's diagnosis or is sim...

Imagine watching your favorite TV show without any music in its sound track. TV production insider Steve Mulholland explains the magic of music breathing life into a television story. Links and notes related to this episode can be found at  https://mpetersonmusic.com/podcast/episode38   Facebook Page Instagram LinkedIn Twitter

Jazz music has been used by General Mills, Target, IBM, The Mayo Clinic, and The United Nations to develop 21st century skills such as agile thinking, imagination, empathy, and risk-taking. How can the jazz genre inform a business model that has long prized stability and continuity? Links and notes related to this episode can be found at  https://mpetersonmusic.com/podcast/episode37   Facebook Pag...

We have a choice of where we focus our awareness, and these choices fundamentally affect how we perceive our experiences, and how we perform (whether the performance is athletic, musical, social, or otherwise). Dr. Vanessa Cornett explains that "Awareness is the most valuable resource we possess as humans… If stress isn't what happens to us, it must be the result of how we interpret what happens t...

Chemicals like oxytocin and dopamine are important in human connection, well-being, pleasure, contentment, and meaning – aspects of healthy humanity that are strained by social distancing. Studies show intriguing links between music and oxytocin and dopamine. How can music stimulate these chemicals so crucial to well-being – especially in those most impacted by quarantines? Oh, and what is up with...

Music therapy is effective in relieving pain and increasing the quality of life for patients AND their loved ones. It can also function as a container for sacred moments; as uniquely captured memories for a lifetime; and as a mechanism for bonding, affirmation, and celebration in life-limiting situations. Our topic today is music as palliative care. Palliative refers to care that is focused on rel...

There can be many logistical obstacles to quality music instruction, including busy schedules, transportation, physical mobility, and rural location. If you haven't found music lessons that fit your unique situation, learn about global options available for private lessons, group lessons, school instructor training, and more. Links and notes related to this episode can be found at  https://mpeters...

John Benham's advocacy work and methods have saved over $70 million in proposed music cuts, equivalent to approximately 2,000 teaching positions affecting 500,000 music students. For more than 30 years, March has been officially designated as Music In Our Schools Month by the National Association for Music Education. John's book, Music Advocacy: Moving from Survival to Vision, provides instruction...

Transform your child's life through the power of music! Author Sharlene Habermeyer explains why making music exercises the brain like no other known activity, and why these benefits last a lifetime. Music can stimulate critical thinking skills and understanding of STEM subjects; and can be a catalyst for success for those dealing with cognitive, physical, and social challenges. Powerhouse Classica...

A job skill learned reluctantly in her teens opened the door for Sue Nelson to "play for the Twins" (organist since 1999)! Hear about the NHL team she first played for, the best seat at Target Field, Sue's most important audience, and her favorite part of the job. Links and notes related to this episode can be found at  https://mpetersonmusic.com/podcast/episode30   Facebook Page Instagram LinkedI...

Music tech is having a phenomenal impact on the well-being of those facing significant mental health challenges. "We're not fixing people, we're creating the conditions within which they often choose to flourish," says Simon Glenister, Founder and Director of Noise Solution, one of the UK's top 100 performing social enterprises. Links and notes related to this episode can be found at  https://mpet...