Jennifer George is geriatric care manager with AOS Care Management. Contact Jennifer George to share music memories at (910) 692-0683 or jenniferg@aoscaremanagement.com.

Sentimental Journey

February 2012: March to your own beat

It is hard to stay unhappy when you hear a marching band. At least, that is what a client of mine told me. We were sitting in a doctor’s office on a cold rainy day. I asked her if on a day like this, would she want to listen to music to match the day and curl up under a blanket, or would she prefer music that would perk up her mood. She said she would definitely want music that would dispel the gloomy weather, and nothing is better at that than a good John Phillip Sousa march. I had to agree with her. Just hearing a marching band could greatly improve my mood and want me to join in the parade.

Perhaps that is why another client recently chose a Sousa march to be included in her memorial service. She chose Sousa’s, “The Thunderer,” to be played during the service. She was right. It was beautiful and touching. We all smiled during that thunderous Sousa march, just the way she had hoped. (Click the CD cover below to hear Sousa’s “The Thunderer”)

Click here to hear "The Thunderer"

I recently saw a television program with Andre Rieu, known affectionately as the Waltz King. Rieu is a 62-year-old Dutchman, classically trained violinist, who has made his goal to bring the joy of music to everyone. The story opened with the playing of “Seventy-Six Trombones”, from the popular musical “The Music Man,” and a full-parade of all the musicians to the stage for their concert. I was hookedn and it seems I’m not alone. The audience was standing in their seats clapping to the march, too. Rieu’s hero is Johann Strauss, and he has made it his goal to make people happy by sharing his love of waltzes.

Music, whether it is a march or waltz or whatever genre is your favorite, can change your mood. Knowing what type of music can improve our mood and having it nearby is key. In a culture where it has become accepted practice to take a pill to change our mood, why not try the old standard of playing a favorite tune.