Finding memories in music

Music has this unique ability to connect with emotion, and with memory, so they’re very intricately linked, says Professor Felicity Baker, Head of Music Therapy and Director of the International Research Partnerships for the Creative Arts and Music Therapy Research Unit at the University of Melbourne.

“When you hear a piece of music and then the memories become evoked as a result of that, the neural network is activated, and it also then leads to the activation of more positive moods.”

Professor Baker studies how music, especially singing and songwriting, can be used to treat people with a range of conditions – from young people with traumatic brain injuries to adults with substance abuse issues and, especially, people with dementia.

“We’re actually showing the family carers how to use music in really strategic ways to support the care of the person that they’re looking after. But we’re also interested in preserving the relationship between the carer and the person that they’re caring for,” Professor Baker says.

“So, using music in a way that helps to bring that person to the present.”

Special thanks to the Dandenong Ranges Music Council, Caladenia Dementia Care, Melbourne, the Musical Memories Choir from the Continuing Care Clinical Service Unit, Austin Hospital, Melbourne, Judy and John Kearney, Sue Mountain and Betty Hamilton.

For more information about Felicity Baker’s work and the Music Heals Minds And Hearts appeal, click here or email [email protected].

Episode recorded: August 29, 2019.

Interviewer: Dr Andi Horvath.

Producer, editor and audio engineer: Chris Hatzis.

Co-production: Silvi Vann-Wall and Dr Andi Horvath.

Image: Getty Images.