Music and Healing: The Garden of Joys and Sorrows, an interactive presentation and concert exploring the physical and psychological healing power of music, will be held February 26 in Snidow Chapel, University of Lynchburg. The program will feature Astraios, a national network of musicians committed to the development of interaction between musicians and audience members. The presentation will begin at 7 p.m. followed by a concert at 8:30 p.m.
The presentation will focus on music as a healing agent and its emotional impact on both performers and listeners. Discussions of the physical and psychological effects of music will lead into interactive activities, and the audience will be invited to join in a performance of Terry Riley’s “In C,” for which music reading skills are not necessary.
The concert will include Sonata for Flute, Viola, and Harp by Claude Debussy; Between Earth and Sea by Beamish, and The Garden of Joys and Sorrows by Gubaidulina with instrumentalists Ruth Ann Ritchie, flute; Alicia M. Valoti, viola; and Louisa Ellis Woodson, harp.
The event is a benefit performance for Centra’s Alan Pearson Cancer Center and is free and open to the public, but donations are welcome. Information is available at 434.544.8634.
