"This book inspires us all to immerse ourselves in the vast potential of music and other creative arts to heal our wounds, sharpen our minds, enliven our bodies, and restore our broken connections.” —Bessel van der Kolk, #1 New York Times bestselling author of The Body Keeps the Score
World-renowned soprano and arts/health advocate Renée Fleming curates a collection of essays from leading scientists, artists, creative arts therapists, educators, and healthcare providers about the powerful impacts of music and the arts on health and the human experience
A compelling and growing body of research has shown music and arts therapies to be effective tools for addressing a widening array of conditions, from providing pain relief andalleviating anxiety and depression to regaining speech after stroke or traumatic brain injury, and improving mobility for people with disorders that include Parkinson’s disease and MS.
In Music and Mind Renée Fleming draws upon her own experience as an advocate to showcase the breadth of this booming field, inviting leading experts to share their discoveries. In addition to describing therapeutic benefits, the book explores evolution, brain function, childhood development, and technology as applied to arts and health.
Much of this area of study is relatively new, made possible by recent advances in brain imaging, and supported by theNational Institutes of Health, major hospitals, and universities. This work is sparking an explosion of public interest in the arts and health sector.
Fleming has presented on this material in over fifty cities across North America, Europe, and Asia, collaborating with leading researchers, policy-makers, and practitioners. With essays from notable musicians, writers, and artists, as well as leading neuroscientists, Music and Mind is a groundbreaking book, the perfect introduction and overview of this exciting new field.
*This program includes a downloadable PDF containing key images and visual aids from the book.
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"This lyrical book opens our hearts and minds to the vast potential of the creative arts—music, dance, and synchronous movements—to sooth, comfort and connect to each other, and thereby promote health and well-being. The authors, some of the most luminous musicians, dancers, physicians, and neuroscientists of our time, all are deeply engaging, sometimes even magical, writers. This book inspires us all to immerse ourselves in the vast potential of music and other creative arts to heal our wounds, sharpen our minds, enliven our bodies, and restore our broken connections."
— Bessel van der Kolk
At a time when the bonds of our common humanity are being stretched to the limits, at the same time as the intensifying stresses on our personal well-being, Renée’s book is a timely reminder that music is the meta language that connects all individuals and spans all cultures, religions, and races. Music has never been more important.
— StingThis lyrical book opens our hearts and minds to the vast potential of the creative arts—music, dance, and synchronous movements—to sooth, comfort and connect to each other, and thereby promote health and well-being. The authors, some of the most luminous musicians, dancers, physicians, and neuroscientists of our time, all are deeply engaging, sometimes even magical, writers. This book inspires us all to immerse ourselves in the vast potential of music and other creative arts to heal our wounds, sharpen our minds, enliven our bodies, and restore our broken connections.
— Bessel van der KolkBrava, Renée, for assembling this groundbreaking collection of writings on music and the brain, with all the latest fascinating connections and possibilities splendidly presented. This volume will be a touchstone not only for researchers and musicians, but also for plain old music-lovers and good-book-lovers like myself.
— Jamie BernsteinRenée’s deep commitment to the powerful intersection of art and wellness is an inspiration. These studies are a beacon leading us to the inevitable realization that art is essential to humanity. I highly recommend this book for musicians and non-musicians alike. In our current divisive world, art offers hope, comfort and healing.
— Marin AlsopThis extraordinary volume edited by Renée Fleming is the most comprehensive compilation of the role of music in every aspect of life, from biological evolution to our own mental, physical, and spiritual well-being. The meaning of life is in the music of life.
— Deepak ChopraThis extraordinary volume edited by Renée Fleming is the most comprehensive compilation of the role of music in every aspect of life, from biological evolution to our own mental, physical, and spiritual well-being. The meaning of life is in the music of life.
— Deepak Chopra"Compelling. . . . A must-read for anyone who questions the health benefits of music.
— Kirkus ReviewsRenée Fleming has the voice of an angel and the brain of a scholar. Her boundless curiosity has enabled her to assemble a myriad of experts to explore this exciting new field of science. Her work has given me a new appreciation of the wonders of music and the impact it has on our brains as well as our lives.
— Katie Couric[A] stimulating anthology. . . . Taken together, the essays reflect a 'human-centric' model of care that smoothly integrates traditional scientific research and intuitive notions of integrative health. The result is an expansive and thought-provoking look at the dynamic intersection between art and science.
— Publishers WeeklyCompelling. . . . A must-read for anyone who questions the health benefits of music.
— Kirkus ReviewsCompelling. . . . A must-read for anyone who questions the health benefits of music.
— Kirkus ReviewsArt and science, both reliant on creativity, are powerful lenses through which to comprehend the world. This anthology edited by renowned singer Fleming celebrates the convergence of these two domains. . . . Whether readers’ tastes trend toward beautifully organized sound, comforting random background noise, or even ear-wrecking hard rock, chances are this vibrant tome will resonate.
— BooklistAn illustrative primer on the potential of music to enhance our health, wellbeing, and societies, the book makes a compelling case.
— LancetBe the first to write a review about this audiobook!
Cary Hite has performed in several theaters across the country as a cast member in the longest-running African American play in history, The Diary of Black Men. He also appeared in Edward II, Fences, Macbeth, Good Boys, Side Effects May Vary, and the indie feature The City Is Mine. He has voiced several projects for AudibleKids, including Souls Look Back in Wonder, From Slave Ship to Freedom Road, and Papa, Do You Love Me?
Vikas Adam is a classically trained actor with numerous credits in stage, film, commercials, and television, in addition to his over two hundred recorded audiobooks. His narrations have garnered numerous awards and nominations, including AudioFile Earphones Awards, various Best of the Year lists, and the prestigious Audie Award. He was an inaugural inductee into the Audible Narrator Hall of Fame.