Music, Memory and Healing

UPDATE: The Arts Engagement program has now been featured nationally on National Public Radio's "Here and Now" program based in Boston! Check out this link for a show rundown (look for the "Arts Engagement" section) and to hear Rene Gutel's report (RealAudio format).

In the midst of the busy 2007-08 season, one new program experienced a quiet but very successful start. The Phoenix Symphony's Community Engagement department partnered with the Banner Alzheimer's Institute in the Arts Engagement Program - a program funded by a grant from the Maricopa Partnership for Arts and Culture which brings people with mild to moderate alzheimer's disease or dementia to the Symphony's Friday morning Coffee Concerts.

In recent years, countless studies have shown music's neurologic benefits to the brain and live music can prove all the more stimulating. Public Radio's Rene Gutel had a chance to observe this new Symphony program, speak with some of the participants and learn more about the benefits great symphonic music has brought to those involved. Visit the story at the KJZZ website where you can hear the full broadcast report about this fruitful partnership we hope will continue for years to come.