The Magic of Music: Its Power on the Body

By Gabby Ceconi ('22)

In our modern-day society, music is vital in our daily lives. It surrounds us everywhere—in commercials, movies, even in the grocery store. It influences many aspects of our lives and shapes us into who we are. Yet, many still do not know how magical music is and how much it transforms the lives around us. 

Through the field of Music Therapy, musicians use music to help mentally ill patients establish a positive relationship with music to help alleviate some of the pain they experience. According to Harvard Health Publishing, music therapists help their patients to explore music to bring on a state of relaxation or cause self-discovery that guides them on their way to healing. In a sense, the music flows into the patient and helps them to strike out their issues and fears; the music helps the patient to become a stronger conductor of their own life. Some therapists have their patients listen to different genres of music, play music for their patients, or even have the patients themselves play an instrument such as a xylophone or a ukulele. However, to the average person, most do not realize the true power of music on our minds and bodies.

When listening to music, it is unlikely that people realize that a symphony is being composed in our mind; we typically listen to music that gives us great pleasure. To our brains, music is candy—it gives us a happy-high that leaves us wanting more. The pleasure we experience when we listen to music is all thanks to the chemicals in our brain: dopamine, serotonin, and endorphins. According to scienceofpeople.com’s, The Benefits of Music: How the Science of Music Can Help You, the endorphins and other chemicals released when listening to music that we like causes us to feel light, airy, and happy. These feelings of pleasure help our bodies to relax and become less stressed. NRHS Choir Teacher, Ms. Santillo elaborates, saying, “When a person is actively listening to music or creating it, there is a level of concentration that includes physiological activity. When musicians are making music in an ensemble (like a band, a choir, or an orchestra) or when people are engaged in focused listening, as in a live audience at a show or concert, heartbeats and breathing rates synchronize. This [concentration] is an example of the brain regulating body functioning and depending upon the tempo and style of music it can have a calming or an energizing effect.” In a sense, listening to music, especially with others, causes your body to conduct its own grand, happy symphony!

Humans tend to gravitate towards patterns. We can hear patterns in music and then visualize them. As mentioned in Music Files, patterns in music further help to make the listening experience more enjoyable as one can experience a work that is exciting, yet controlled and balanced. Burr Johnson, a local producer, music performer, and music teacher serving the NY Tristate Area, furthers this point, stating, “Humans have an inherent draw to patterns. Music is a pattern-based artform. When we hear patterns, especially when they’re manifested through rhythm, or pitches, or multiple pitches, which is harmony, we find it gratifying, and we look for the patterns in the music...It brings us satisfaction and joy.” When we take musical patterns into consideration, we find ourselves subconsciously dancing to them. Johnson elaborates on this, saying that, “Your body is going to start to respond to it [the pattern], even involuntarily. You’ll just start moving to it because you recognize the pattern and you just have an instinct to want to be a part of it… When we participate in the patterns, we have even more of a fundamental understanding of it because not only do we understand the pattern, we can do the pattern!” 

When we also feel certain emotions, our subconscious gravitates towards music that will make our emotions amplified or burst. For example, when we are sad, we naturally want to listen to a sad song, and vice versa when we are happy. Different genres of music are known to affect our mood and emotions differently. Ms. Santillo elaborates on this fact, stating that, “Using music as a way to be reflective and to self-regulate can be very effective for people who favor auditory sensation or those that sing or play instruments. They can engage with music as a means to move beyond a reflexive emotional response if they are aware of their ability to practice utilizing a growth mindset.” Specifically, in choral music, she explains that, “Chladni plates,” metal sheets holding sand that create complex patterns with the vibrations in music, “demonstrate visually how symmetrical patterns are formed from the vibrations of different sound frequencies. Humans can perceive sound wave frequencies if their intent is to allow their mind and body to engage in this way.” Similarly, Mr. Bjorkman explains how classical music’s purity helps us to relax. “It’s being done with instruments that are completely made out of parts that are biodegradable. The sound you’re getting is pure, whereas with electric, it’s been transformed. Percussion brings out more of the kinesthetic part of you; it gets you revved up.” All in all, while you may favor one genre over another, every single type of music has a positive effect on your mind and body, so don’t be embarrassed by your favorite tunes! 

In North Rockland High School, music has been a central part of our school community. It continues to bring the student body together and illuminate new opportunities and discoveries in music. Mr. McHugh, our Band Director explains that “music has impacted NRHS the most by improving students' self-esteem and confidence. Seeing a students' face light up after a performance as the audience applauds is priceless. That look that says ‘We did it!’ is evidence of the students' feelings of accomplishment. It also fosters a spirit of camaraderie and support.” Ashley Gillison (‘21) opens up about her experience with music and how it impacts her and her friends’ lives. “Many of my friends, including myself, have agreed that we wouldn’t be here today if there wasn’t any music. For me, it keeps me sane and keeps me relaxed.” Mr. Bjorkman shares some of the sentiment experienced whilst teaching NRHS students, “I learned that students are, in many respects, better than some of the past generations I’ve taught. I feel optimistic about the future. They are better people because of music...I believe that music and the arts are essential subjects that students, at minimum, should be exposed to.” 

Whether you like country, rock, or classical, music continues to be a uniting and driving force in our society. It inspires us to test the limits of the impossible and create powerfully unique works of art. Music shapes us into who we are. With its healing effects in mind, it might not be such a bad idea to pop in that earbud or put on those headphones and jam out while you have free time or complete an assignment.