IT HAS been a long, gruell-
ing day and now it is time to
relax, relax, relax.

By STEPHEN BARRINGTON
News Reporter

Floating away to strains of
classical, jazz, folk and pop music
is a favorite way for many to relax.

At Capilano College, students
for the past 10 years have been
learning how to use music toward
other ends, toward a number of
clinical and remedial goals.

“It has been proven music af-
fects our central nervous system,
our heart beat and breathing,’’ ex-
plains music therapy program
coordinator and co-founder Nancy
McMaster. .

Music knows no bounds and is a
powerful, melodic tool, she says.
Its subtle moiivational magic is
ideal for aiding physiotherapists

and psychotherapists in their work.

In physiotherapy, especially
slow, painful tasks are often easier
with music.

“What we’ve found is that if
there is a music therapist in the
room making live music then all
the people in the room start walk-
ing to the beat,"’ she says.

“It’s actually the music. It seems
to stimulate at a physiological
level.”

And making music can be as
beneficial as listening to music.
McMaster cites a woman in pro-
fessional care whose emotional
shell was softened by making
music.

An emotional
woman did not want to do
anything or even care about
anything. A small musical instru-
ment changed that and became a
turning point.

“There was a nurturing, an ex-

tecluse, the

citement in the music
McMaster explains.

Using easy-to-play instruments
such as tone bars and drums, the
therapists try to get their charges
creating music. Sometimes, the
people are intimidated.

‘*As some of the people are not
musicians, this is where the art
comes in.’”

In education, teaching music is
like teaching how to learn. ‘‘When
a kid or an adult tackles learning
how to make music, it takes lots of
effort,”’ she says.

‘You have to practice and
forgive your mistakes and have
courage to perhaps muff it again.
It’s got these qualities of demand,
challenge and pleasure.’’

For kids with learning problems,
learning how to play an instrument
is a step in the right direction —
all learning requires similar con-
centration skills.

itself,"’

NEWS photo Stuart Davis

NANCY McMASTER, coordinator of the music therapy program at Capilano College (left) and second year
Capilano College student Doris Harfmann play with some other students during a music therapy class.

Locals
produce

A multi-faceted tool, music can
be tailored to suit individual needs
as the therapist requires. With the
elements of demand, challenge and
pleasure, the emphasis can be
selectively placed depending on
what is the most useful.

Students enrolling in the pro-
gram do not learn music — they
are all skilled musicians — but are
taught how to properly apply their
musical abilities.

Ability to play with feeling is an
absolute must. ‘‘They must be able
to play expressively. Everything
they do with the music must be

ER

5
eS

Sey,

at the Avalon Hotel

When you want a bite or a feast. We are
proud to serve your favorites, made with
only the finest ingredients, fresh daily.

The Inn place for evenings...
Live music to 8:30, Dancing after 8:30

SCudison

VHUC
UK SG

1025 Marine Drive, North Vancouver

23 - Friday, March 27, 1987 - North Shore News

able to move people.”

With an assortment of classical,
jazz, folk and blues players, the
two-year program's approximately
35 students bring a musical mix to
the growing field.

As with any therapy, the music —

therapists are trained to be flexible
to the needs of the individual.
‘*We train people to be as tuned in
as they can be.”’

People wanting more informa-
tion on the program can attend an
open house in the Capilano Col-
lege’s music building April 6 from
7:30 p.m. to 9 p.m.

Mle

985-4181

ait

or