BY MARTHA SUMMA-CHADWICK, DMA
The knowledge of the extraordinary benefit that music can have in the brain and central nervous system is openly shared in the upper societies of neuroscience. Unfortunately this awareness is generally not known on the “street levels” where it could be beneficial to so many people with special needs. In order to advance this awareness, an exciting series of concert performances, lectures, and workshops will take place in the Chattanooga, TN area starting in October 2015, to promote the cause of music in therapeutic environments. Music Therapy Gateway In Communications (MTGIC), a 501c3 nonprofit organization whose mission is to disseminate information and advocate for the use of biomedical music techniques, has partnered with local therapeutic, musical, and educational organizations to introduce an exciting educational initiative called “Dance of the Neural Tango!” This initiative was funded by an Arts Build Communities grant from the Tennessee Arts Commission.
The kick-off event is scheduled on October 9th at 7:30 pm in the Roland Hayes auditorium on the campus of UTC. Pianist (and MTGIC Executive Director) Martha Summa-Chadwick will be joined by principal players from the Chattanooga Symphony and Opera (CSO), the Huntsville (AL) Symphony, and the University of TN at Chattanooga Department of Music in a chamber music concert designed to bring awareness to the cause of music in therapy. Works by composers who had neural afflictions will be highlighted, as well as delightfully rhythmic music of stage and screen to demonstrate to the audience the ease of muscular movement along with rhythmic stimulus. It will be almost impossible to refrain from tapping a finger or toe along with the music! In partnership with the CSO, the Cadek Conservatory in Chattanooga, the Chattanooga Autism Center, Orange Grove Center, and the Chattanooga Harp Ensemble, the following additional concerts, workshops, and educational presentations are scheduled in order to raise awareness for the benefits of music.
These workshops and lectures will encourage audience and participants to learn about how the biomedical music techniques affect the central nervous system of those with motor, speech, and cognition challenges. Additional events will be added as dates are secured with other organizations. Additional information, full schedules as they are completed, and contact information these activities can be found at www.mtgic.org, www.marthasumma.com or www.ChattanoogaSymphony.org/community •
