Community music has power to heal, bind
Some first responders and veterans know it. Students at one of the nation's top universities do, too. Folks worldwide dealing with cancer have discovered it — and the city of Detroit. Ditto for meetups of seniors.
What should America (and the Grammy Awards) recognize? Community music making is a thing!
Beautiful music is being made in community, by community and for community. The “third wall” that has separated music makers from the audience is fracturing. While the surgeon general warns of a national loneliness epidemic, moments of creativity, togetherness and feeling-healing are happening among former strangers who create new music together.
Remember Run-DMC and Aerosmith shattering the wall between black and white, rock and rap? Community music is knocking down another false wall — you need no music experience to make meaningful music! People get together, laugh, chat, maybe cry, offer words awkwardly, and in the company of a few who know music, create music you can feel.
Picture a February day at Worcester Polytechnic Institute — Wellness Day at a university that receives national attention for its commitment to student well-being. In a sunny room, 10 to 15 chairs are spread out and Mark Cutler, a Rhode Island Music Hall of Famer, stands welcomingly with his guitar on shoulder. A screen where song lyrics can be written stands ready.
Despite being a prolific songwriter, Cutler listens, questions and values the songwriting ideas of all, wearing his genius humbly. Cutler leads Community Songwriting on Campus, co-developed by the Same Thing Project and the National Museum of Mental Health Project. He mixes with students who might outwardly be judged as different from one another. Soon, students share ideas, smiles, laughter, frustrations and hopes. Word by word, verses form. On the spot, Cutler creates music to fit the words. A new song, “Love is Love,” is born.
When veterans and others impacted by trauma mix with musicians at Raven Drum Foundation events, there are stronger overtones of music therapy. In drum circles, the resonance, movement and rhythm of drumming creates shared energy and the connectedness that comes from playing in a group opens opportunity. Phil Lipof of ABC News participated in a drum circle as a musician. He experienced “very different stories … but with one thing in common. Everybody is looking to deal with trauma or help people deal with trauma.”
Raven Drum has impacted over 50,000 lives. Drum circles prove mindfulness does not require silence when led by Lauren Monroe. Monroe's talents are as breathtakingly uncategorizable in the realm of music and integrative health, as those of a decathlete in sports. Monroe speaks the dialect of complementary and alternative medicine, encouraging reflection. Other musicians who have experienced adversity help keep the drummers drumming to internal and external beats of healing and wellness. Monroe filters it all through the pragmatism of her Queens, New York, upbringing.
Ernie Boch Jr., whose foundation helps keep music in schools, brought a drum circle to New England this month. Imagine the possibilities.
Community music making is diverse and widespread. North Carolina's DrumStrong has efforts in 27 countries where those impacted by cancer make music together. Boa Me's community music addresses mental health among Black/African Americans in Detroit. The music makers at A Place to Be in Virginia embrace neurodiversity. Community music making is led by Native Americans in the Midwest, found in the Hispanic-American community in California, and at a church in Arkansas. A Texas initiative has found its way into the C-Suite. Even the National Institute of Health recognizes that music benefits health.
Every American can list what separates us and causes pain. Community music making draws us together and feels good, but needs greater awareness. The Grammy Awards already have a category for Best Song for Social Change. How about a Community Healing Award? Or the Boston, Rhode Island or Worcester Music Awards could take the lead and create a category for community music.
Music brings us together — let's celebrate the amazing artists who create it.
Rick Allen is a trauma survivor, drummer for Def Leppard, and with Lauren Monroe is co-founder of the Raven Drum Foundation. Paul Piwko is cofounder of the National Museum of Mental Health Project.