The Oasis - June 11, 2025
Author: Rev. Eric Dupee
June 11, 2025
This Sunday is Music Appreciation Sunday at First Parish Church. I was doing some reading and searching around online to learn about the impact of music on human beings. I came across some information about one of the most popular courses at The Burnett Honors College at the University of Central Florida called “Music and the Brain.”
For nearly twenty years, neuroscientist Kiminobu Sugaya and violinist Ayako Yonetani have taught students how music reduces stress, pain and symptoms of depression. They describe how an Alzheimer’s patient can be completely unresponsive, “but once you put in headphones that play music, their eyes light up.” They might even start moving and singing.
We will have a chance to thank all the ringers, singers, and instrumentalists that have provided so much beautiful music throughout the church year. They work hard. By giving so much of their time and talent, they make worship meaningful and delightful. They touch our souls. We thank Wendell Purrington and Terrie Ilaria for all the encouragement, teaching, prodding, and general leadership they provide to our music program.
In his book Church Music and the Christian Faith, Erik Routley describes how he once questioned why churches never provided ceremonies for the recognition of church musicians comparable to that for the ordination of pastors. He came to the conclusion that doing so would be a mistake. He writes, “A musician is an artist employed by the church, who hopes to be able to give what he or she has for the edifying of the church’s people. To lay hands on the musician in ordination would be not only anomalous; it would probably become an excuse for doing no more. No, don't lay hands on the musicians. Talk to them."
Don’t hesitate to talk to anyone in the First Parish music program and let them know how much you appreciate their efforts and our fantastic music program.
Blessings,
Eric
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