by Rosalva Parada

Music is powerful. It gives us access to memories and emotions long after the brain has suffered the effects of age-related issues.

It has the power to regulate our autonomic nervous system, syncing up our breath, mind, and body, and it has the ability to bring us together and align our brain waves through the simple act of listening together.

This notion of entrainment has been researched and shows that it makes us more likely to be helpful towards and cooperate with one another.

For nearly eight years, I have had the privilege of singing at memory care and assisted living facilities, curating song lists, and performing multiple times a week. My experiences, including participating in the LA Opera and the LA County Arts and Health Week Summit with Renée Fleming, have allowed me to witness and apply the profound principles of how music impacts our health and communities.

I am honored to share a concert at Saint Philip’s in the style of the work I do at these facilities. It will feature music from composers like Joaquin Nin, Vaughan Williams, Donaudy, Liza Lehmann, Schubert, Dvořák, Joni Mitchell, Ennio Morricone, and Francisco Barbieri.

Please join us for this special event at 5:30pm in the sanctuary this Sunday, June 8. This is a wonderful opportunity to share my passion with family and friends. And, of course, there will be plenty of homemade cookies to enjoy afterward, including many gluten-free options!

I hope you will join us and experience the joy I find in music and in sharing music with those we love and care about.