This page discusses the areas of music in which I am involved:
~ Therapeutic music
~ Private music lessons
~ Music arranging
~ Special event music
~ Wedding music
~ Worship music
Anna Thormahlen Jenkins: what I do...
Therapeutic Music
I have been working as a Certified Music Practitioner since 2005. Each month this work takes me to private homes, group homes, assisted living centers and nursing care centers, and allows me to offer music to people as a form of therapy.
Q: What is "therapeutic music" ?
A: Therapeutic music is offered as a service (not a performance) to the critically ill and post-surgical patients in hospital, the elderly in assisted living and nursing or convalescent centers, and the dying in hospice. Often this music is played at the bedside so the patient can receive maximum benefit from the vibration of the harp strings.
In 2005 I completed the nationwide Music for Healing and Transition Program (see 'related links' section) and am now a Certified Music Practitioner (CMP). After providing more than 700 sessions of therapeutic music, I have observed that music positively benefits patients through:
• Anxiety reduction
• Relaxation of the body
• Pain reduction
• Emotional and mental distress reduction
• Brief “escape” from illness
• Positive impact on family and staff
Below are some case study examples showing the positive effects of therapeutic music. I have compiled these examples from my own practice.
ANXIETY REDUCTION:
Patient – 78 year old male, Congestive Heart Failure, receiving oxygen; very anxious and unable to sleep.
After applying gentle and appropriate harp music that matched the patient’s breathing, the patient fell asleep. He was very interested in the music and tried to clap after the first few songs, but became drowsy and slept. The music soothed him and took his mind off of the source of his agitation.
Patient – 68 year old male, lower GI bleed, hooked up to many monitors; very agitated.
Following our session, this man commented, “Listening to your harp makes it impossible to think of anything except gentle, pleasant thoughts.”
Patient – 51 year old female, kidney failure; anxious and fearful.
Following our session, she said to me, “While I listen I can imagine this sound to be like the world was before there was genocide, wars, hate.”
RELAXATION OF THE BODY
Patient – 53 year old male, pneumonia, head injury; on a ventilator.
I played soft and soothing music and tried to entrain with the patient’s monitor. His wife stood by his side and held his hand. Half way through the 30 minute session, she let go of his hand, looked at me and whispered, “He finally relaxed.” The patient was asleep.
Patient – 55 year old male, back pain, cause unknown.
This patient relaxed during the session, closed his eyes and leaned back in his bed. He said, “I wish your music was a river; I’d just jump in.”
PAIN REDUCTION:
Patient – 40 year old male, intense pain.
The patient was rocking and moaning when the session began. As the music soothed him, he became quiet. I paused, thinking he was asleep. He said, “I hope you’re not stopping!” I continued to play and he was soon in a deep sleep.
EMOTIONAL AND MENTAL DISTRESS REDUCTION:
Patient – young male in early twenties, mental health unit.
I played during the lunch meal at the request of a hospital employee. This particular young man was very interested in harps. He talked to me about David’s harp (Bible) and told his counselor this (hearing the harp) was “an answer to prayer.”
Patient – 59 year old female, unstable mentally, failure to thrive.
This woman was curled up in a fetal position in her bed and made a high-pitched sound every 5-10 seconds during most of the session. Occasionally she would utter a word or two. Whenever I stopped playing, she would say quickly, in a very high voice, “Could you play a little more?” The patient seemed less agitated at the end of the session and thanked me several times in her little, high voice.
BRIEF "ESCAPE" FROM ILLNESS
Patient – 63 year old female, right hip failure.
The patient’s husband was present the entire session. After several fairly upbeat tunes to match the mood of this couple, the patient said, “We could listen to this all day!” They enjoyed the diversion from the hospital routine. Meanwhile, in the next bed, behind the curtain… the neighboring patient had said she wanted to listen but did not want the curtain opened. When I was done playing, I poked by head into her side of the room to tell her goodbye. With tears in her eyes she said, “You were sent from God today. I was terrible to the doctor and others earlier this morning and feel awful about it. The music touched me. You tamed the savage beast.”
POSITIVE IMPACT ON FAMILY AND STAFF
Patient – 74 year old female, COPD; anxious and nervous.
After playing slow and calming music for 20 minutes, this patient became noticeably less restless. As I was leaving, her daughter, who had been in the room the entire time, gave an audible sigh and said, “Harp music is like a massage for the soul.”
Nurses and other staff -
When I arrive on a floor, I typically check in with the charge nurse and review the patients I am to see that day. Every time, without fail, someone will say something like,“Can’t you just sit here and play for us? It is so relaxing!”
Private Music Lessons
Teaching has always brought me joy. My skills from teaching elementary and secondary public school music classes come in handy now as I work with children and adults in learning the Celtic harp.
TEACHING PHILOSOPHY:
My highest priority is conveying a love of music and the harp to my students. I look for unique ways to inspire each child or adult based on individual personality and temperament.
Lessons provide a solid musical foundation that includes harp playing fundamentals, rhythm and note reading skills, music theory, ear training, music history, and improvisation.
I teach both weekly and bi-weekly lessons. Please contact me for detailed information if you are interested in taking private harp lessons! (206)914-2662
Music Arranging
I love the process of taking a melody and arranging it for solo harp, several harps, or harp and other instruments! For me, it's like creating a musical jigsaw puzzle. There are so many interesting ways to put all the musical tones, colors and textures together to create a finished composition. The Eastside Harp Circle has been most generous, playing many of my drafts of works in progress! A few of my Christmas compositions for solo harp and harp ensemble have been published by the Reigning Harps Newsletter and the Folk Harp Journal, a quarterly publication of the International Society of Folk Harpers and Craftsmen. I also do some arranging of music for students, church worship services and programs. Sibelius Software is the notation program I use.
Special Event Music
A little harp music can transform an ordinary event into an enchanting occasion!
Imagine a special dinner, cocktail party, art gallery opening, garden party, fundraising auction, spiritual program, office less-stress day (perhaps combined with massage...)
... add in harp music, and your event becomes unique!
Wedding Music
A Little Story: Once upon a time...
...about three decades ago, a wedding brought Anna and Don together. Anna’s cousin, knowing each of them separately, and knowing they each loved music, asked Anna and Don to sing a duet for her wedding. After several rehearsals they sang at the wedding, and a year later, went from being partners in music to partners in life. At their own wedding, they learned something that has become the basis for the way they work with clients:
A wedding is not a performance. It is an experience, and you have invited people you care about to share in that experience. A wedding is YOU, the couple, and this moment in time. The music should reflect YOU and enhance your wedding experience.
Music We Offer
• Wedding Ceremony Music and/or Reception Music
• Celtic harp - solo
• Celtic harp and guitar - instrumentals
• Celtic harp, voice, and guitar – tenor vocal and instrumental
• Other instruments – we can assist in engaging additional folk, classical or jazz instrumentalists and vocalists when desired for the ceremony or reception.
Worship Music
The harp can create a reverent atmosphere for worship. Its soft, mellow tones compliment prayer, while its larger voice can accompany hymns. If desired, harp music can replace the organ or piano in a service.