What Do You Feel When You Hear Music?
In an unusual, thought-provoking program, Honens Prize Laureate Nicolas Namoradze took residents of Garrison Green on an interesting exploration of emotions, imagination and sound during an hour-long visit this week.
Nicolas Namoradze at an earlier performance for residents. Photo taken prior to COVID.
United’s partnership with Honens often brings extremely high-calibre performers such as Nicolas into the community for unique, one-on-one programs.
Besides being one of the best pianists in the world, Nicolas also has a keen interest in neuroscience, especially in how the brain and body interpret music.
He led residents through several mindfulness exercises intended to sharpen their awareness around the subtleties of the music he played.
By being completely aware when listening to music, we can get a much richer experience.
- Garrison Green resident
He played a piece by Rachmaninoff and asked residents to imagine what the music was saying. The results were as varied as the listener.
One said it brought to mind a storm and its aftermath, another talked about life and death and another was reminded of a passionate affair.
The various sounds in the music stimulate our imaginations in different ways. Sometimes it’s visual, sometimes it’s emotional. But there is almost always a physical component. We may not be aware of it but we also listen to music with our bodies.
- Nicolas Namoradze
Some music, such as rock, jazz or swing makes you want to move, while other music induces relaxation. He then played a series of pieces by Bach.
"Pay attention to how these pieces affect you physically. Listen not only with your ears but with your whole body.”
Nicolas performing for residents after a mindfulness exercise.
He encouraged residents to listen to the nuances in the music – to hear the various layers of sound that occur not only in the foreground but in the background as well.
We are often not in tune with the impact that music can have on us both physically and mentally, The program today was meant to raise that awareness, which gives us a richer experience of the music we are hearing.
- Nicolas Namoradze
Resident Judy Bannatyne was impressed with Nicolas’s performance.
“It was a real treat to listen to him perform. You listen to music with every fibre of your being. You can see how the music affects the performer and the listener. The more you listen to music the more you’re affected by it.”
Garrison Green resident Trudy Martin is very active in the community’s fibre arts club
United Active Living is everything the name implies. The difference is that the residents and the employees are both transformed by the philosophy of developing the whole person. Everyone is given the opportunity to grow and to get enjoyment out of life at United.
I’m so impressed with the friendliness of the employees. They know our names and they make sure that the residents who are living with dementia are included in all of the programs.
- Marina Vettergreen, Garrison Green Resident
I have to give the United Minds program a gold star. They make sure that residents with dementia are included in the meals and the programming. It’s an excellent program.
- Trudy Martin, Garrison Green Resident
If you’ve been thinking about life after retirement, living at United’s Garrison Green community offers a positive solution with a wealth of programs and activities, community support with assisted living and memory care options should you need them.
To know more about our programs, speak with an Active Living Advisor at either Fish Creek or Garrison Green to better understand the benefits of living in a United community.
Wondering if a Retirement Living Community like United Active Living is right for you or a loved one?
- United's residences are perfect for you if you love being creative, enjoy lifelong learning, and experiencing new things.
- United's residences are perfect for you if you do not want to be defined by your medical conditions, but rather want to live life on your terms - focused on your strengths, abilities and interests.
Here is what our residents say about living at one of United Active Living's residences:
...two steps below heaven.
Living at Garrison Green is like two steps below heaven. It really really is. Everything is provided.
- Trudy Martin | Resident
We never separate couples based on their medical needs.
"We are completely satisfied that United Active Living will be providing for us as a couple. We can be independent if we like to. And we can have assistance if we like to. But we can go through it together."
- Sharyn & Landis Krause | Residents
...the level of lifelong learning experience
"When I saw the level of lifelong learning experience that United offered, it only took me a week to decide that this was a place I wanted to live."
- Diane Osberg | Resident
Give us a call or visit our information pages below to learn more!
United Active Living's Garrison Green
3028 Don Ethell Boulevard SW
Calgary, AB T3E 0C9
United Active Living's Fish Creek
51 Providence Boulevard SE
Calgary, AB T2X 0X2
"I’m thankful that I’m here"
I’m thankful that I’m here. If I was in my own home, I wouldn’t be going anywhere. I would be quite concerned being on my own, but I don’t feel that here.
"applauded for going above and beyond"
The employees are to be applauded for going above and beyond to help to keep a positive environment. Today, there are more programs opening up, more exercise classes and more programs in the theatre.
CONTACT US
Call us or complete the form below for us to schedule a time with you.
Your information is kept safe and secure.
You can unsubscribe anytime. Privacy Policy
Copyright United Active Living Communities, all rights reserved. Privacy Policy