Music for the soul

Multi-Faith Chaplains’ Centre seeks instruments

By Meghan Sired

University of Calgary student Michelle O’Keefe believes strongly in the healing power of music.
O’Keefe, who is working on a bachelor’s of music degree and a master’s of counselling psychology, recently put together a presentation on how research has shown listening to or playing music lowers blood pressure, decreases the chance of heart disease and even lowers a person’s chance of getting cancer.

Medical benefits aside, when a group melds different sounds and creates different beats and rhythms, the result is humbling yet exhilarating, she says. “It opens your heart and you are connected to something bigger.”

Since the benefits of music are so evident, O’Keefe and Rev. Tim Nethercott, from the Multi-Faith Chaplains’ Centre, are forming a drumming circle and encouraging all interested U of C students to join.

Creating a beat with a drum is a simple technique to master, so all skill levels are welcome.
“The rhythm connects very easily without any explanation because life has rhythms in it,” says Nethercott. “Every living thing has a vibration and the rhythm of the drumming simply connects you with that.”

But before the drum circle can begin, the centre needs donations of instruments such as African drums (such as djembes), drums from Asia and South America, bongo drums, log drums, rhythm blocks, rain sticks, cow bells and castanets.

O’Keefe and Nethercott are also planning to form a guitar circle later this year so there is a need for about six guitars, as well.

Nethercott also hopes someone will take their unused portable keyboard out of storage and donate it to the centre.

The drum circle will begin Wednesday afternoons in early November.

For more information about music circles or to donate an instrument, phone the Multi-Faith Chaplains’ Centre at 220-5451 or visit the centre (Room 373 MacEwan Student Centre).