Aug 27

Aaron Shore Concert! Sept 2, 2021

Aaron Shorr

For Paul Simon lovers, Aaron Shorr will be presenting a free concert next week at the Lyric. Aaron has been playing at St. Boniface Hospital and CancerCare MB with Artists in Healthcare for well over a decade.

I’ve been hard at work restarting a project that is near and dear to my heart. I fell in love with Paul Simon’s music in my teen years, and just a few years ago launched Still Crazy: The Music of Paul Simon. Prior to the pandemic, we were looking at some tour dates around western Canada, and some in Europe, but alas the world turned upside down, and things were put on hold. Continue reading

Aug 24

Three more Concert Series Videos

Jocelyn Gould, Raine Hamilton and Ambasel bring you music to enjoy at home.

 

 

 

Aug 14

More stories from George

George Bajer-Koulack

I don’t think that words alone can express the impact of these music programs, but I will try my best!

This has been a particularly sombre year. Covid restrictions have prevented us from doing group programs and for months residents have been practically confined to their rooms. Though our staff continues to do amazing work, many of the residents have been suffering from boredom and loneliness.

 

When I come in there the halls are usually empty and quiet (not counting the constant beeping and humming of medical equipment). I usually just sit or stand in the hallway and start singing a gentle tune like edelweiss to let people know that I’ve arrived.

 

As I play signs of life gradually begin to emerge, heads begin to peek out of doorways and applause might drift out of people’s rooms between songs. Once I can see that most people are awake and engaged I start to sing more fun, upbeat songs like “hey good lookin” or “walk the line”. This is when the magic really starts to happen!

Continue reading

Jul 20

July 2021 George Bajer-Koulack

George Bajer-Koulack

It has been an amazing opportunity to do regular music programs for such an extended period of time. I’ve really been able to develop some great relationships with residents. There’s quite a group of music enthusiasts now. Some of the staff tell me certain residents are so excited for my programs that they show up an hour in advance! I was shocked the other day by a resident who rarely ever speaks.

I was playing a Johnny Cash tune that is a favourite of many of the residents and when I finished, she opened her mouth and said in a loud, clear voice “we love you”! Another resident offers me a little drawing each time I play on his floor as a sign of gratitude (almost always the same picture). The other day there was a gentleman who really got into it! he was sitting right beside me and whenever I began to play he would start slapping his knees or clapping his hands in rhythm.

Continue reading

Jul 12

Daria and Ivanka Watkin MEDLEY Concert Series

The Manitoba Chamber Orchestra, Safe at Home Manitoba and Artists in Healthcare are proud to bring you another fabulous concert!

May 24

Art at the Bedside

Art at the Bedside

The purpose of the Art at the Bedside program is to introduce ideas and materials that invite patients to engage in a creative process of self-expression offering a pleasant diversion during their hospital stay, while enjoying the company of interested and committed volunteers. This project was made possible by a grant from the Winnipeg Foundation and included a research component, as well as documentation, to discover if an art program can be successfully delivered by volunteers from the community with a professional artist providing training and mentorship.

 

Art at the Bedside Final Report

May 24

Service Canada Summer Jobs

Here are the musicians involved with the 2021 year:

Luciano Armenti

Ashley Au

Kyle Cobb

Ann Germani

Lois Gillespie

Ryan Guth

Linda Hiebert

Grace Hrabi

Brian James

Dan Keding

George Bajer-Koulack

Nic Lawrenz

Naomi Leadbeater

Lynn and Peter McClure

Gabriela Ocejo

Jesse Popeski

Jess Reimer

Sam Singer

Aaron Shorr

Davide Verelli

Willie Wiebe

Anne-Marie Williot

May 12

Madeline Hildebrand | MEDLEY concert series

Please enjoy this concert brought to you by AIHM, the Manitoba Chamber Orchestra!

    PERFORMER Madeline Hildebrand http://www.madelinehildebrand.com/​

PROGRAM 1. Vítêzslava Kaprálová (1915-1940) April Preludes Allegro ma non troppo Andante Andante semplice 

2. Frederic Chopin (1810-1849) Preludes Op. 28, no. 15 “Raindrop” Prelude 

3. Sergei Rachmaninoff (1873-1943) Etude-tableau Op. 33, no. 7 Etude-tableau Op. 39, no. 5 

4. Scott Joplin (1868-1917) Maple Leaf Rag 5. James P. Johnson (1894-1955) Carolina Shout

 

May 10

Doctors use Music to help patients cope

From the NY Times

The Healing Power of Music

Music therapy is increasingly used to help patients cope with stress and promote healing.

By Richard Schiffman. April 8, 2021

“Focus on the sound of the instrument,” Andrew Rossetti, a licensed music therapist and researcher said as he strummed hypnotic chords on a Spanish-style classical guitar. “Close your eyes. Think of a place where you feel safe and comfortable.”

Music therapy was the last thing that Julia Justo, a graphic artist who immigrated to New York from Argentina, expected when she went to Mount Sinai Beth Israel Union Square Clinic for treatment for cancer in 2016. But it quickly calmed her fears about the radiation therapy she needed to go through, which was causing her severe anxiety.

“I felt the difference right away, I was much more relaxed,” she said.

Andrew Rossetti, a licensed music therapist in New York, uses guitar music and visualization exercises to help calm patients undergoing medical treatments.Credit…John Smith

Read more HERE from the NY Times

Apr 07

3 ways music is beneficial to your health

Mar 15, 2021 – McMaster University –

“Given the deep connection that most of us have with music, it should come as no surprise that researchers around the world continue to investigate music’s therapeutic benefits. Besides being enjoyable to listen to, music can help to improve walking speed, reduce anxiety around hospital stays, and improve overall behavioural issues in people with dementia. Music is a safe, simple, and inexpensive strategy; however, it continues to be an underused tool. Whether for yourself, or a loved one, consider incorporating more music into your everyday life and enjoy the many benefits it provides.”

…read more at:

https://www.mcmasteroptimalaging.org/blog/detail/hitting-the-headlines/2021/03/15/3-ways-music-is-beneficial-to-your-health