I was taught by a man whose disease didn’t allow him to consciously connect anymore. Music played in the presence of Love acts like an invitation to engage. If the invitation is accepted, there is non-verbal communication. No words are needed. One can be humming along, singing along, moving fingers and waving arms, and tapping their feet as a reaction to my invitation through my violin playing. There may even be dancing, if the person is still capable of it. And most special of all: there is the opportunity to connect through the eyes.
This is a sacred moment. A moment of healing – a moment the loved one will never forget. Watching and witnessing your beloved coming back to life and connect despite the advanced state of the disease is immeasurable.
And this is a moment the beloved might not forget either. When done on a regular basis, a person with severe memory loss gets the opportunity to repeatedly experience the deep touch of music, the Love offered, and the feeling of connection on a level that goes beyond the disease. The person might remember what it means when I come with my violin and play. The musical part in the brain will be the last one to go with Alzheimer’s disease, and there is always the chance for the person to accept the offer and engage through the message transported in my music playing.
Music played in the presence of Love always reaches.
Music played in the presence of Love can bring moments of deep healing for everyone involved.
It is the most sacred form of music making I have ever done.