Blog #
100…December, 2019
Michael
Apted’s brilliant Up series documenting the lives of a group of British
children began in 1964 with Seven Up.
Although originally conceived as a “one of” episode, it evolved
into a journey that followed the children every seven years as they grew up and
Britain - and the world - changed. Fifty
five years later, Sixty- three Up will appear later this month, watch for it on
TV, or if you’re nearby, at the Bloor. It’ll likely be the last; Michael Apted’s
health is failing and, as one of the Up’ers said, they wouldn’t trust anyone
else to tell their stories.
Since this
is Blog # 100, I’ve been thinking back to September 2011 and # 1 (which I also
thought of as a “one of”). It featured a
small group of musicians/students, calling themselves Impromp2 Crew, who arrived
on Friday mornings at the Toronto Grace Health Centre to delight patients,
staff and visitors.
Of all the
art forms that stimulate and nourish our spirits, music has always struck me as
the most universal and accessible, cutting across language, age and
abilities. We begin our connection to music (often even before we’re born) with
our mother’s lullabies and learn to speak, count and dance to tunes handed down
through the ages. We’re soothed by soft violins, energized to get at that housework by Dixieland and our feet start tapping at the sound of a marching band. We remember making out or breaking up when we hear a snatch of a tune, even if it was in another century. Music reminds us that we are all connected, musicians are celebrated across borders, enemies can find common ground. It can quiet the soul, foment dissent or even
revolution.
I remember the Impromp2Crew fondly; they were students at the time, headed towards careers in fields where experience with a variety of people would serve them well. So, not only were they delighting their audiences, they were gaining valuable life lessons for themselves.
I was inspired by the Up series to reach out to the members of Impromp2Crew and was thrilled to have replies from far and near with fond memories of their time at the Grace nearly a decade ago - how it had enriched their personal lives and contributed to their professional development. They remembered how the patients responded to the music despite difficulties communicating, and the impact music had on everyone involved, making visitors more comfortable. One of the Crew who is now a physician, liked seeing the unique contributions of allied health professionals. Another, who was going through a difficult job search, remembers the encouragement he felt while playing at the Grace. Music has been introduced to a hospital in Australia and to a critical care setting in Toronto based on the experiences of Impromp2Crew.
So, in these
days when we’re bombarded by bad news (and Frosty the Snowman) take a break and
curl up with your favourite, whether it’s Dvorak or Dizzy, Leonard or Lamar,
feel what good there is in the world and have yourself a very Happy Holiday. We’ll be back with #101 in 2020.
