Music and Happy Brains

I watched a PBS program last week, Musical Minds, about how music impacts the brain. In part, it was a fascinating look at people whose brains don’t function normally but who are extremely gifted in music–a savant, a young man with Tourettes, a doctor with no musical talent who was struck by lightening…. The most amazing part was seeing a brain scan of a person listening to music that evokes an emotional response compared with music that doesn’t. This program, including a video of the brain scan, is available to watch online.

Someone who lights up my brain is soprano Hayley Westenra of New Zealand. Her voice is so pure, so beautiful, so effortless as it lifts with emotion. Though classified as a classical artist, she moves easily from Italian Opera to “Shenandoah” to Irish ballads. But she moves me with her hymns. The less accompaniment, the better. Her voice is the only instrument needed. “Whispering Hope” and “Abide With Me” are among my favorites. But the song she seems to be asked to perform most often is “Amazing Grace.”

As I have written numerous times, another favorite of mine is Celtic Woman of Ireland. These talented women, most of whom were previously affiliated with River Dance, all have angelic voices and perfect pitch. For Christmas last year I received 2 tickets to see CW in Dallas in April. What a tremendous experience that was! (A million thank-yous from both of us!) Some of the original group have left, but their replacements sing beautifully as well. For a while, Hayley sang with CW. I did not get to experience this live, but here is a video clip of them singing together. By the way: DH and I got to see this piece performed live. The drum solos were phenomenal! Hayley is in the gold dress, and my favorite CW, Lisa, is the brunette in the dusty rose dress.

Now that’s real music in my book! My brain is happy.