About
The idea behind Making Music Being Well is to help get more people thinking about the therapeutic and recreational benefits of being musically active. The message is: sing or play a musical instrument. It’s good for you!
There is compelling international and local research which shows that active music making is good for individuals and good for communities. For example, music-making can help alleviate depression and reduce anxiety. Learning a wind instrument is great for breath control for kids with asthma. For adolescents, music-making and listening choices are powerful forms of positive expression. And singing to people in even the most advanced stage of dementia can benefit them, as familiar songs stay in our memory right to the end of life.
Making Music Being Well 2010 is a week-long focus on the links between active music making and wellbeing.
Want to be part of it?
Individuals and communities can play their part in many different ways, for example:
- Melbourne music therapist, Emma O’Brien, is coordinating a huge music festival at the Royal Melbourne hospital involving local high school students.
- ACT community music organisation, Music for Everyone, is aiming for, among other things, Canberra’s biggest-ever classical acoustic guitar ensemble during the week. It’s not too late to download the music and get practicing at www.mfe.org.au.
- In regional NSW, Chooks on a Hot Tin Roof ukulele ensemble will be making a visit to its local nursing home to perform for the residents and get them singing.
Mackay Regional Council, Burdekin Library, Clarence Valley Conservatorium, Dandenong Ranges Music Council, Perth’s Princess Margaret Hospital, Wollongong Conservatorium, VCA Secondary School, Yangebup Primary School in WA and Victoria’s Southern Health authority are just some of the many groups hitching their wagon to the national celebration.
Making Music Being Well was last held in May 2008, with more than 130 events involving over 12,000 participants. This year’s program will be much bigger! What will YOU be doing to help spread the good news about music making? Register your activities here.
Making Music Being Well is an initiative of 'Music: Play for Life' and the Australian Music Therapy Association.
