CONDUCTORCISE®

So? What's New?

2010-01-23T08:35:00.000-08:00

Hi All,
Hang on to those dress styles of 20 years ago. I am sure they will be in fashion again. Not to worry..... "Avatar" 3- D with "special 3- D glasses. Wow! WOW! WOW! Pooh, I remember going crazy for that in the 1950's.

B.C.E. are the initials for "Before the Christian(Common) Era". The Trojan War was c. 1100 B.C.E. the first Olympic Games were held c. 776. B.C.E. Plato's Republic was written c. 390 B.C. E. Pythagoras died in 497 B.C.E. Alexander the Great conquered and Hellenized the known world in 331-323 B.C.E.

You must agree, this is a very long time ago. And what did the Greeks think about MUSIC and how did they think it effected their daily lives? What did they think about how MUSIC effects the SOUL, the HEART? As Jackie Mason would have asked in posing this question. Mister? Anyone???????

Greek culture was essentially HUMANISTIC. Greek art, philosophy, and ideals put humankind at the center of all things.

The Greeks viewed MUSIC as capable of HEALING THE SICK,WORKING MIRACLES in nature and CHANGING HUMAN HEARTS.

The Greeks viewed MUSIC as basic to the PURSUIT OF TRUTH AND BEAUTY. Thus, music was omnipresent in the Greek world.

At the heart of the Greek view of music was the Doctrine of Ethos, based on Pythagoras's view of music.
1. Music was seen as a microcosm of the cosmos, a system of pitch and rhythm that was ruled by the same mathematical laws that governed the whole of the universe.

This information is all in the history books folks. I read much of this information from lectures by Professor Robert Greenberg.Ph.D University of california.

It is all so amazing to me. Here we are in the twenty first century. We now have tools that can display photos of the brain while listening to music. We know more about the brain. The location of memory cells, the pre-motor areas of the frontal cortex that have connections to the auditory system and so much more. We have the ongoing research by neuro scientists, psychiatrists, wellness experts, social workers. So exciting. We now can prove with our modern techniques what the Greeks new thousands of years ago. That MUSIC is HEALING in so many ways, physically and mentally. I am constantly reaching out to these experts to find out why Conductorcise is as successful as it is. Why does it work? What is it doing for mind and body? I applaud and marvel at the individuals throughout the world that are researching, not only from a physical approach to music and its stimulus, but all those experts in the field of geriatrics that are seeking the reasons why and how music allows one a life of more passion and energy, less stress and beauty.

My point is,thousands of years ago, B.C.E., the sages of the time were declaring "the same thing" without the aid of modern day science. The conclusion I draw is, A RESOUNDING YES. Music has been seen to effect the human spirit FOREVER. Musicians, poets, philosophers all wrote about the effects of music on the human spirit. Music was used to accompany the first Olympic Games. Music was a great part of the Church. Rhythm, the pulse of the heart beat, tone came naturally to humankind.

Sooooooooooo, Let's continue to explore the possibilities of MUSIC and WELLNESS. It is not the only thing that contributes to a healthier life style, but it has been a part of our every day life for eons. It is born in us states Oliver Sacks. It is part of our genealogy. Don't deny it. Go WITH it mannnnnnnnnnnnn.

I have been blessed to have explored that gene for a long time. I state the above only to show that it is SIMPLE, not complicated to understand BASIC feelings about MUSIC and its motion and magic.

PLEASE, All comments are welcome. I love to learn. write your comments, add information, examples, whatever. criticise!!!!! This Blog is to SHARE thoughts and information to make us better human beings.

Peace and Love to all, Maestro David

Relief Aid To haiti

2010-01-13T07:08:00.000-08:00

Dear Conductorcise Family,

I encourage all of you to seek ways of making a donation to help in the RELIEF AID TO HAITI. I "Googled" relief aid to Haiti. The first thing that came up was "HAITI EARTHQUAKE RELIEF. clicked on that and got the UNICEF site and made a contribution.

What has this got to do with Conductorcise? Absolutely nothing. But we are compassionate, giving human beings. We are in a field of wellness and caring and even if we were not, our hearts should be filled with sadness over the events in Haiti. Whatever your situation is, it cannot be as disastrous as what is happening in Haiti today.

Please do not hesitate. Contribute NOW.

My wife Susan lived in Haiti for fifteen years during the 70's and 80's, BD (before David) I have visited the country twice and we have a number of very good friends from Haiti. As you must know, Haiti is the poorest Nation in the Western Hemisphere. The people are beautiful, talented artistically and in every other way. Haitians are warm and sensitive people. They have suffered so much and now this. A catastrophe of monumental proportions.

I heard a report this morning from a reporter on the scene. She said that through the night, amidst the confusion, terror, moans and cries, she heard SINGING. That is the Haitian way of relief. Music has so many benefits. It is a way of relieving the agonies of the moment.

I will not talk about anything else today. I do not want to distract from this message. Please help. Do not hesitate. Contribute now and know you are part of a world community that wants to reach out and help their fellow human beings.

Thank you, Peace and Love, Maestro David

Correction and MORE

2010-01-12T06:04:00.000-08:00

Hi All, I was so excited in writing my first blog yesterday, that I gave you an incorrect title in my list of reading materials. Regarding Aaron Copland. I wrote "How to Listen To Music" this is INCORRECT..It should be "WHAT TO LISTEN FOR IN MUSIC". You can get this book on Amazon for under $10.00. Should be a must for Conductorcise family.

I would like to share with you some other reading material. I have been drawn to Eastern philosophy for many years. Thich Nhat Hanh is a poet, Zen Master and lives in exile from Tibet in France. He has written many books. I suggest reading "The Miracle of Mindfulness" as a great starter into his philosophy. Couple of other suggestions:
1. Mind Wide Open, Your Brain and the Neuroscience of Everyday Life by Steven Johnson
2.The Power of Now by Eckhart Tolle (a wonderful insight into daily living)
3.Can't Remember What I Forgot (the good news form the front lines of memory research) by Sue Halpern

In reference to memory loss, Alzheimer, Dementia, you should be aware of "THE ALZHEIMER STORE" www.alzheimerstore.com not only is there a great amount of material to purchase, but you can, if you wish, receive the daily Alzheimer newsletter. This is packed with information on the latest research on not only Alzheimer and Dementia, but Parkinson's Disease, Diabetes and on and on..

My Dear Conductorcise Family. It is such a needy world out there. We all have our problems. Let us put them into perspective. Look around. If you visit the venues I visit, you will see many who are in need of connection, caring, SMILING, movement, participation, LOVE. You will see depression, stress, illness. Never walking again. No family. HELLO!!!!!!!!!! WE can contribute to their wellness. One smile can make my heart leap. I have played under some of the great conductors and Have conducted some of the greatest music of the centuries. It was always a beautiful experience for myself and the audience, (I modestly believe). However, I have NEVER experienced the warmth, honesty,and love that I experience after a Conductorcise program. To see smiles, to see tears of joy, to see energy from those who walked or were wheeled into the room looking tired and sad, leaving with smiles and a positive attitude is an amazing, unforgettable experience. This is true of Independent and Assisted living venues as well. There are all kinds of wealth, as there are all kinds of JOY. The facade of a beautiful venue does not always display the inward feelings of those beautiful people residing in that venue. I encourage participation. Give of yourselves. Reach out. You will receive ten fold and more.
Enjoy your day. Enjoy the moment.. Peace and love, Maestro David

Welcome to The Conductorcise Blog

2010-01-11T09:13:00.000-08:00

Hi All, Maestro David here wishing all a Healthy and Happy New Year..
Welcome to the very first of many Conductorcise Blog posts to come.

Technology in the 21st Century is amazing. As a young boy, I remember the "party line",No! , not whoopee party, but the same phone line used by many neighbors in one area..how about the "ice box" ( my job was to empty the water in the A.M.) coal delivery, milk on door step. (cream on top)..Fishman, vegetable truck, knife sharpener, all coming to your door. Enough of that..Well here I am writing a blog...WOW. Time does fly..........

I hope this blog will serve as a conduit through which information, ideas, events, programs and so much more will flow with ease. Conductorcise is making its presence felt throughout the world. I am continually reaching out. Learning, leaning more and more. It is a wonderful time of life. Please, never say "enough". That passion, motivation, thirst for adventure and knowledge is what keeps us vital, even through the Autumn of our lives.

Make use of this Blog. Respond with questions, suggestions, actual experiences. We will all learn.

For those of you that do not have a musical background, it is NEVER to late to learn. There are many ways. One is, just listen. Listen to the symphonic repertoire. There is so much. I do have a listening list on the web site. It is just the tip of the iceberg. Have you heard of the "Teaching Company" (www.TEACH12.com) They have a number of music courses that are inexpensive and very good. I think it important to avail yourself of this material if you are thinking of certifying and do not feel comfortable with symphonic music. The magic, the depth. I will be happy to answer and help as much as possible, but you can listed to these CD's at your leisure and will gain much.

I would also like to recommend the following for your pleasure in the area of Music, exercise, and music and the brain.
1.SPARK The Revolutionary New Science of Exercise and the Brain, by John J. Ratey, MD (faculty of Harvard Medical School)
2.Successful Aging, (the most extensive, comprehensive study on aging in America. Find out how the way you live----not the genes you were born with----determines health and vitality. by Robert L.Kahn, PH.D. and John W. Rowe, M.D.
3.Musicophilia, Tales of Music and the Brain by Oliver Sacks
4.This Is Your Brain on Music by Daniel J. Levitin, the science of a human obsession ..Daniel Levitin is an accomplished musician, producer and, guess what? a neuroscientist..fascinating book.
5. How to Listen to Music...Aaron Copland.. A wonderful book, written simply by the "Dean of American Music" (1900-1990. Will open your mind and your ears to the magic of music.

This list is just a start. Please do not hesitate to recommend reading, research material,or musical works you feel will help the Conductorcise family to grow, learn and reach out. Give from the heart. Perform your every day duties with a passion. You will be surprised at how much you will receive in so many ways.

We are off to a great start. Please consider the Conductorcise program for your venue. Please consider Certification, a way of allowing Conductorcise to be a part of daily life for many, many years.

Let's hear from you. Peace and Love, Maestro David