Music & Medicine
A Concert-Lecture Series
The world of medicine is beginning to embrace the idea that music is a powerful tool for helping us understand and manage our brains, our emotions, and our bodies.
- Music can help manage pain.
- Music can help therapists teach someone to walk again.
- Music can even provide signals to children about social connection and trust.
These are just a few of the topics explored in this program, created in collaboration with Concerts in Care Ontario and supported by Resident Affairs and the Okanagan McMaster Chapter.
Originally designed as an in-person experiential program, the series was converted to a Zoom format due to COVID-19 restrictions and broadcast earlier this year.
About the Series
Built on the theme Music: The Forgotten Pillar of Mental Health, this five-part series covered topics ranging from music and pain management to social prescription.
The series was the result of a collaboration among:
- Dr. John Miller, Resident Affairs, McMaster University
- Debra Chandler, Concerts in Care Ontario
- Dr. Laurel Trainor
- Rachael Finnerty, LIVELab, McMaster University
The program was generously supported by the Okanagan McMaster Chapter.
We are now pleased to share the recordings of these Zoom sessions with you.
While our primary goal was to provide residents in training at McMaster University exposure to experts in the field and meaningful musical experiences, we also hoped to inspire participants to consider the value of music in their personal lives and professional practices. We believe many members of our broader community will enjoy this series as well.
It has been a privilege to meet and learn from our speakers and musicians, all of whom are respected experts in their fields. We are deeply grateful for their support in helping us build this framework for presenting and demonstrating music as a tool for mental health and wellness.
We hope you find these topics as fascinating as we do. We encourage you to watch the recorded sessions and share this knowledge. Highlighted titles link to available presentations. Additional sessions are in development and will be released soon.
With our thanks,
John and Debra
April 7, 2021
Music and Pain Management
Featuring Dr. Lee Bartel, Hamilton Philharmonic Concertmaster Stephen Sitarski, and violinist Sophie Drouin.
Music and Stress
Featuring Dr. Laurel Trainor, Rachael Finnerty, and the Aubrey Wilson Quartet.
Social Prescription
Featuring Dr. Kate Mulligan and Azuline Duo.