Music really is the best medicine

I was really touched while watching Britains Got Talent when I saw the Missing People Choir. It is a choir made up of families and individuals who have a special someone who has vanished or gone missing for some reason. Hard to believe eh? Some of. their loved ones have been missing for a good many years without any clue or an answer as to why they felt they had to go. How do they live with that and carry on with such uncertainty in their lives?

I suppose one way is the fact that they have come together and used music as a comfort and a way to connect their lives. The song which they sang was called 'I Miss You' and written by Peter Boxell who's son went missing in 1988 after a football match. I was in tears, that was it for me, an emotional wreck but through my tears I had such respect for a group of people who held it together and sang passionately about their feelings. 

It does that doesn't it? Music? They say it heals the soul and I believe it does. There is no medicine that matches it. I sing in a choir every week and I feel so uplifted, it's as if I can sing my problems away. I'm in great company as well, we do just go into that room and forget all our troubles and have fun but there is just something about music that makes everything ok. I am also one for popping my headphones on and listening to my music to escape for a while. Some find a book offers the same sort of comfort, a moment to transform ourselves into a different world for a while. 

It can be a stress reliever or a way to raise awareness about topics. remember when all the bands would get together for a charity single. You would learn about the cause, why all these people were coming together then we would buy the single, help raise money and the reason we did it would hopefully stay with us. One of the many useful ways we can enjoy music and what better way to build a community of happy helpers.

Another useful way music can help is through therapy. Nordoff Robbins is an amazing charity who offer music therapy for people with a wide range of conditions and help in areas such as neurological rehabilitation, dementia, autism and learning difficulties, mental health and palliative care. 
Paul Nordoff (an American composer and pianist) and Clive Robbins (a British teacher of children with special needs) worked together in the 1950s, 1960s and 1970s, developing their approach to music therapy and all these years later the charity and their talented musicians offer so many possibilities all through the power of music. Take a look at what the charity are all about at www.nordoff-robbins.org.uk

As part of Rock Choir I have had the privilege and the honour of helping to raise money over the past year for this charity and we've had a lot of fun doing it as well.. I remember sitting in a field in 1990 after buying tickets to attend 'Knebworth 90' which was a massive concert for Nordoff Robbins and included some major musicians such as Paul McCartney, Robert Plant, Jimmy Page, Phil Collins, Eric Clapton, Elton John and Pink Floyd. Never did I think at the age of twenty, that ten years later I would give birth to a little boy (now not so little) who could benefit and have access to the type of therapy offered by Nordoff Robbins. That was my first experience of learning about this organisation and I'm so glad they continue to do great things after all these years.

So there must be something good about music! Yes, there is everything good about music and don't say you're not musical because you are if you've hummed or whistled along to a tune or tapped your feet at some stage. It's there somewhere. bet it made you feel good as well. Even if you're angry, let off steam with a bit of heavy rock, Doctor Sue from the Brew prescribes a tonic from ACDC, it will knock your socks off. 

If you didn't catch the Missing People Choir you can see it on you tube at
www.youtube.com/watch?v=b4RlOiVJjCo 

Mascara alert and tissues at the ready though........

Thanks for reading and I will catch you tomorrow with another Teapot Tuesday. 

Take care for now......