The Power of Music

Music is the language of the soul. Humans make music and listen to others make music for a myriad of occasions in a lifetime. From lullabies to school songs, folk and holiday songs, religious services, concerts, weddings and funerals, music has a treasured place.

When the time comes to leave this world, few sounds are as comforting as music. The words of a dear one saying “I love you” and “thank you” and “goodbye” can be said over and over; the wise words of clergy can have profound comfort for the dying as well as for the families. At some point in the process words fail, but music does not. Perhaps better than anything else, music can bridge the gap between life and death. Music can reach those who can no longer make sense of words spoken, and for those who can, it can reach deeper and provide a message of love and of connection to a larger world beyond the sick bed. Music creates vibrations that are beyond words. Music comforts, strengthens, clarifies. It touches the soul.

We are so pleased to announce that the program is partnering with The Bach Choir of Bethlehem, as Nina mentors fellow musicians Katherine Kaiser, Bach Choir soprano, and Robin Kani, Bach Choir flautist and longtime member of the Bach Festival Orchestra.

Working in partnership with Lehigh Valley Health Network and St. Luke’s Health Network and other hospice agencies, A Musical Heart trains the musicians to prepare them to perform this service sensitively. The music provides comfort and peace to the patient, family members, loved ones, and caregivers.

The Choir is honored to be part of this compassionate program, to help us serve the Lehigh Valley during this time of prolonged challenges to us all.

Nina Falk, Director/Founder & AMH Musician, Violin & Viola

 

Nina Falk, director and founder of A Musical Heart, is the principal viola of the Bach Choir Orchestra. As a Fulbright scholar, she studied in London and Rome. She has been a member of the Baltimore Symphony and played for many years with Opera Lafayette, the Handel and Haydn Society, the Folger Consort, the Carmel Bach Festival, Apollo’s Fire, the Apollo Ensemble (John Hsu), the Washington Bach Consort, and her ensemble, Arcovoce.

Starting in 2010 she began playing for hospice patients through Holy Cross Hospice, the Jewish Social Service Hospice, and Montgomery Hospice. In 2012 she founded A Musical Heart to provide the loving comfort of live music to patients near the end of their life. She seeks to inspire musicians who feel suited to this work to share their gifts.