The Musical Cure
Jeff Hutchinson
Issue date: 9/30/04 Section: TruLife
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Chen, a second-year student at A.T. Still University of Health Sciences, hopes to help the sick in Kirksville by forming The Musical Cure.
"It is a grassroots community service organization that uses music as a healing tool to reach out to those who are sick," Chen said.
He said the musicians, whether specializing in jazz or classical music, will find an opportunity to play and share their talents. Chen also said he would like people to form smaller ensembles, so they are able to play the music they enjoy.
Chen said he started the group because he played in band in high school and at the University of Virginia, but he no longer had opportunities to play music when he began his studies at A.T. Still University.
"When I came here, music just evaporated because of time," Chen said.
He said he looked for other outlets to play music again and found a group of students at Yale University that performs for the poor, sick and elderly. He said this group was very successful in raising money for charity. After discussing the idea with other people, he decided to start a similar program in Kirksville.
Although Chen used the same premise as the Yale students, he said he had to adapt the program to better suit Kirksville. The Yale group performs mostly for the homeless because of the urban setting, but Chen said his new group will focus more on hospice homes, victim support services, nursing homes and hospitals.
The American Music Therapy Association said music can help people at these facilities. For example, music can help people at hospitals by alleviating pain, lifting patients' moods, calming them to the point of sleep and lessening muscle tension. Music can help people living in nursing homes by stimulating them and keeping their body, minds and emotions functioning.
Chen said he hopes the group's music will accomplish some of these goals.
"Music is going to facilitate talking to them, reaching out to them and saying that people care," Chen said.
Chen said the group's music will help people deal with problems including anxiety, depression and loneliness. He also said the facilities he has contacted are excited about the program and the service it will provide for residents.
Besides using music to help people feel better, Chen said he has some broader goals. He said he wants to break down some of the barriers between the two schools and the community. By mixing students from Truman and A.T. Still University, Chen said the organization brings different kinds of people together to help the community.
"I think that everybody wants to help other people," Chen said. "It is just finding the right opportunity."
Senior Michelle Jones is on the outreach committee for Sigma Alpha Iota, the women's music fraternity. She said the information about The Musical Cure outside a professor's door caught her interest.
"This is basically the kind of thing that we like to get involved in," Michelle Jones said.
She said one reason she wants to join The Musical Cure is because of the experiences the group will provide.
"I am a music major, so the chance to perform for anyone is always a good opportunity," Michelle Jones said.
Michelle Jones said she likes that their performances can have a positive effect on people.
"I think it is a great way to help people and make their day a little brighter," Michelle Jones said.
Sheila Jones, executive director of the Christian Community Clinic in Kirksville, said patients would benefit from this organization. Sheila Jones also said she is excited about what The Musical Cure can offer patients at her clinic because music provides things that regular medicine sometimes cannot.
"It can lower blood pressure, and it can help people with mental problems relax more," she said.
Sheila Jones said she thinks patients will be receptive to the program and what it has to offer them.
"We deal with a lower socioeconomic people, so they don't have the opportunity to actually have live music presented to them," Sheila Jones said. "I think this will be a good opportunity for them. I hope it does go over well."
Chen said the excitement surrounding The Musical Cure makes him confident about the group's future.
"I think that the sky is the limit for us," Chen said.