The Power of Music in Our Everyday Lives

Come stroll with me through Plymouth Place™, and sooner or later you’ll hear music.

As we pass Dole Hall, we might hear the community choir singing, blending their voices with the chime of hand-held bells. It’s wonderful to know that apart from enjoying the simple pleasure of making music, they’re also making their brains fitter. By singing and playing an instrument at the same time, they engage both left and right sides of their brains, something that helps us become better at processing information.

This simultaneous left and right brain action is sometimes called “The Mozart Effect,” after it was observed that listening to Mozart’s music seemed to improve reasoning skills. But you don’t have to listen to Mozart to enjoy the same benefits. Any music that you enjoy, including easy listening music or relaxing classics, also improves concentration for all ages and abilities.

Familiar songs can stimulate the recall of information – acting like a key that unlocks memories of past events and personal experiences. You’ll see this happen every Sunday afternoon at Greg’s Place, our memory support neighborhood, when Residents reminisce to music. Moods are lighter, smiles are brighter and spirits are lifted.

We all have the ability to express ourselves musically, and there’s no need to be shy. Your voice can be your instrument, and you’re always welcome to join sing-alongs or become a member of the Resident choir. And if you’ve never played an instrument but would like to, try our regular drumming circle, where all you need is the desire to create your own rhythm and be spontaneous.

I’m proud to offer a variety of interesting and unique music and art activities as part of our wellness program.

But brain fitness is only one dimension of our holistic wellness program — we cover physical, emotional, spiritual, social and occupational dimensions to give our Residents an unparalleled quality of life.

Taking center stage in Dole Hall this past April was one of the nation’s best-known collegiate a cappella groups. You may have heard of the Whiffenpoofs, an all-male ensemble who are part of a singing tradition that started over 100 years ago at Yale University. These 14 fresh-faced young men sing everything from old-time hits to jazz to Motown, as well as originals written by their members. They travel across the USA and take their show to more than 30 countries a year. They’ve performed at Lincoln Center, Carnegie Hall, the White House and now Plymouth Place.