Chautauqua Lake Pops
"An Essential Necessity" Providing Social & Mental Therapy
In these uncertain times, COVID-19 is affecting all of us as we await the decisions of when to reopen and how to do it safely. I think many would agree that the impact music and the arts have on helping ease the anxieties we all face can help us in everyday life. Music helps soothe our souls and it also brings us together as a people.
The Chautauqua Lake Pops is more than being essential .. it's a necessity.
Earlier on this blog I featured Diane Bergholtz, a longtime friend and fan of the Bemus Bay Pops. Diane expressed the following thoughts to me, then and they are timely, now.
"In this troublesome time one of the groups I am in adopted the motto, MUSIC IS LIFE. Because of this group many have been able to continue to pursue their talent. Orchestras have introduced their music to many who may never have had the chance to experience it. Music is truly the UNIVERSAL LANGUAGE. Music can relieve our stress and help us to get through this difficult time in our lives."
Diane went on to say that she truly hopes all of us will be able to relax by the lake this summer enjoying time with friends listening to the universal language.
Many of us on social media have begun to notice the appearance of virtual concerts to help deal with stress during this global pandemic. In my research for this blog story I found an article online entitled The Power of Music to Help Cope with COVID-19 by Kimberly Waterman, Media Relations Manager with Northwestern Medicine.
Social media is filled with people singing and dancing during social isolation. What is the power of music to help us cope?
For musicians and performers, this is the perfect opportunity for them to practice, share their music on social media and use it as a means to connect with the world outside. The good news is, you do not have to be musically inclined to reap the benefits of music. Aside from playing a musical instrument, music listening in itself releases endorphins in your system. When listening to music that you enjoy, dopamine, the "feel-good" chemical and serotonin, the "happy" chemical is released in your brain giving you a sense of pleasure and boosting your mood.
Along with dopamine and serotonine that is released when listening to music, oxytocin is a hormone released while singing which can alleviate stress and anxiety. Studies have found that singing decreases feelings of depression and loneliness. Any kind of active engagement in music can help relieve stress such as playing an instrument or moving/dancing to music.
Music can be found everywhere in our lives from your car radio, Bose radio, Pandora and even the gal named "Alexa" who resides in thousands of homes around the globe.
Yes, we are experiencing stressful times when we can't do as we once did though you can find music at the touch of a button or a command .. and hopefully at a concert, lakeside.
For inspiration, during times like this, I turned to these uplifting quotes regarding the importance of music .. especially now.
"Music does a lot of things for a lot of people. It's transporting, for sure. It can take you right back, years back, to the very moment certain things happened in your life. It's uplifting, it's encouraging, it's strengthening."
The late, great singer Aretha Franklin.
"Music is life itself."
Louis Armstrong
"One good thing about music, when it hits you, you feel no pain."
Bob Marley
"Music has a healing power. It has the ability to take people out of themselves for a few hours."
Elton John
"Music gives a soul to the universe, wings to the mind, flight to the imagination and life to everything. Music and rhythm find their way into the secret places of your soul."
Plato
"Music doesn't get in. Music is already in. Music simply uncovers what is there, makes you feel emotions that you didn't necessarily know you had inside you, and runs around waking them all up. A rebirth of sorts."
Matt Haig, author
"I think the emotional side during times like this is a relevant issue to not be overlooked. The Pops program along with other entertainment venues are very important for public health. Sometimes this gets lost in everything else. Our program being outside and open is a safe and good fit with social distancing during these restrictions."
Dan Dalpra, Founder & CEO Chautauqua Lake Pops
www.chautauqualakepops.com
Be safe.
Maestro Muse
