Musical Healing [Paperback]

George B. Stefano (Author), Steve Bernstein (Author), Minsun Kim (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: October 2003

It is hard to rival the experience of listening to good music. When a favorite song or piece is played, the feelings of happiness, nostalgia, excitement, or even sadness, are felt with such depth they seem to be all we are capable of in that moment. One surrenders to this intangible force as if completely controlled by the emotions. We revisit these strong feelings time after time, with new and old music. Why do we keep coming back? What exactly are we getting from music; what is it doing to us?

These feelings have been recognized for thousands of years. More specifically, throughout our time on Earth as cognitive beings, music was used as a healing agent for those with all sorts of illnesses. Music would be prescribed, along with medicine and rest, as an attempt to help ease the physical and mental stress of various maladies. In more recent times, such traditions have been lost due to the technological drive to perfect medical treatment. The basic, emotional responses elicited by music listening have been largely neglected within the world of science.

Musical Healing uncovers the lost art of music therapy through the eyes of science. With explanations of the history of sound and music, modern research and therapy techniques, through the biology of hearing and perception, the reader will have a better understanding of music and its effects, especially in a therapeutic setting.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Dr. George B. Stefano serves as the Director of the Neuroscience Research Institute of the Sate University of New York (SUNY) at Old Westbury. He also serves as the Director of Basic Research of the Mind/Body Medical Institute in Boston as well as Vice Chair of the Board of Directors of the Research Foundation of SUNY. He has published over 300 peer reviewed papers and has been awarded grants from the National Academy of Sciences, National Science Foundation, National Institute of Mental Health, National Institute on Drug Abuse, and the National Institutes of Health Fogarty International Center, as well as private foundations and corporations. He holds several patents. He has organized both national and international scientific meetings. He has been awarded numerous honors for his teaching ability and serves as a Distinguished Teaching Professor at SUNY. His research is concerned with de termining how the body naturally protects itself from various assaults/stressors. ‘Nothing works better than the processes that protect us on a daily basis.’

Steve Bernstein is a Music Therapist who has worked extensively with the geriatric population in nursing homes and assisted living communities. He has also taught piano, worked as a music therapist in private practice and been a visiting performer at geriatric facilities throughout Long Island. Mr. Bernstein received his Bachelor’s degree from SUNY College at Old Westbury and Master’s Degree from Immaculata College. Mr. Bernstein is on faculty at L. I. Conservatory of music where he is also involved in music therapy research with the LISMA Foundation. An accomplished musician, he composes songs and instrumental compositions.

Minsun Kim is the founder of Long Island Conservatory and President of the LISMA Non-Profit Foundation. She has been a member of MENC (Music Educators National Conference) and NYSSMA (New York State School Music Association) since 1992. Her achievements stemmed from her passion for music, both the learning and teaching of it. Minsun Kim has organized and directed summer music festivals as follows:

— Director, Summer Music Festival, Beijing, China. 1998
— Director, Summer Music Festival, Gubio, Italy. 1997
— Director, Summer Music Festival, Prague Conservatory, Prague, Czech. 1996
— Director, Summer Music Festival, Liszt Academy of Music, Budapest, Hungary. 1995
— Director, Summer Music Festival, Gnessin College, Moscow, Russia. 1994

She was also the TV show host of the ‘Wednesday Concert’ on Channel 13 from 1995- 1996, and is the president of the Annual New York Youth Concerts, which have taken place annually since 1991.

Product Details

• Paperback: 131 pages
• Publisher: Medical Science International (October 2003)
• ISBN-10: 8390923130
• ISBN-13: 978-8390923130
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #10,450,318 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent, April 21, 2004

By A Customer

This review is from: Musical Healing (Paperback)

Purchased this book a week ago and haven't been able to put it down! I have recommended this to everyone I know...I knew there was something profound with music....more than just "feeling good," this gives answers for why music is beneficial for the body...groundbreaking and excellently written. Enjoyed reading what experts have to say.

5.0 out of 5 stars A really interesting book..., June 16, 2004

By A Customer

This review is from: Musical Healing (Paperback)

This book was recommended to me by a friend, who thought that my science background combined with my passion for music would be a perfect complement for this text, they were absolutely right! This book in a clear and concise way explains based on current experimental data how music effects our nervous system, and our subsequent everyday life. A truly fascinating read. Be prepared though for some technical terminology, which you'll find understandable with even a small scientific background.