Insights and information
about music, brain health, aging, and much more.
Experience the healing power of the woods: Shinrin-yoku, or forest bathing
If someone told you that one of the healthiest things you can do for yourself is to go to the woods and take a bath, you’d likely dismiss it as another health fad, picturing a “glamping” style outdoor spa with claw-foot tubs artfully arranged in a bucolic setting that...
SONG SPOTLIGHT: I Bought Me a Cat
This traditional American folk song, arranged by Aaron Copland and Irving Fine, has a rich history spanning the Atlantic Ocean, given a new sort of life by some of the 20th century’s most accomplished, classically trained musicians—Benjamin Britten and Aaron...
Jon’s No. 1 Tip for Exercising Your Voice
A little bit, more often, is better than a whole lot, all at once.If you’ve ever gardened, you know that the least exciting work—but in some ways the most important—is to stay on top of those weeds. When Sandy and I are trying to get the butternut squash to “take” in...
Friends are good for your health
Healthy relationships and social interactions can dramatically impact your health, longevity, and overall well-being; study upon study suggests that having friends improves mood, heart rate, and blood pressure, and reduces the likelihood of dying from stroke,...
Guess Who’s Singing Beside You? Sheila Fleming
If you happen to board the southbound CTA No.147 bus on a Tuesday morning, you may encounter Sheila Fleming en route to the weekly rehearsal of the Good Memories Choir. Sheila is one of the volunteers who provides both vocal and emotional support for Good Memories...
Guess who’s singing beside you? Teel Miller
Photographer, chiropractor, and a tenor in many Sounds Good Choirs.Teel Miller on Chicago's lakefront. (photo courtesy of Wil Miller)If you sing tenor in any of the Sounds Good choirs, the singer standing next to you at your concert could well be Teel Miller. While...