I’m Thankful For… The Healing Power of Music
3 Min Read • Holidays
Tomorrow is Thanksgiving, a time to reflect on our blessings. Right now, more than usual, I am feeling thankful for the healing power of music. Music can bring people together, help elicit and process feelings and express that for which there are no words. In light of the recent turmoil created by this election season, I find music and music videos to be a great balm for whatever ails you.
The following is a collection of music videos that bring many different people together to create music that inspires, that elevates, that soothes or that just makes you smile (maybe even through tears). Whatever your soul needs at the moment, I hope you can find something here that fills that need.
Have a Happy, Blessed, and Music-Filled Thanksgiving! Enjoy the Healing Power of Music!
“Bridge Over Troubled Water” – Performed by the Young People’s Chorus of New York City. This song always moves me but seeing a group of earnest young people harmonizing and feeling the music steps it up a notch for me. If you look on youtube there are many versions of the YPC of NY singing this song. As far as I’m concerned, you can’t go wrong with this.
“Do Re Mi” – Performed by NBC’s The Sound of Music Live cast and viewer submissions.
This song is a classic done a capella with professionals and viewer submissions. It always brings me back to watching the movie with my family and never ceases to make me feel optimistic.
“Heal the World” – Performed by Child Prodigies from around the world and produced by Maati Baani.
There is nothing like hearing talented and passionate young people sing a song that has healing embedded in the lyrics. There is also a making of the video that is fun to watch because you hear from the child artists themselves as well as the makers of the video.
The following are all videos that were composed and “conducted” by Eric Whitacre. They feature choral music that tends to be ethereal in nature and a departure from the many pop music videos included in this article. If classical or new age is more your thing, these videos are a must see. Whitacre started with hundreds of submissions from singers around the world performing in the first virtual choir he assembled and ends with over 3000 performing in the 4th virtual choir. These really are something to see and hear.
“Lux Aurumque” – Performed by Eric Whitacre’s Virtual Choir
“Sleep: – Performed by Eric Whitacre’s Virtual Choir 2.0
“Water Night” – Performed by Eric Whitacre’s Virtual Choir 3
“Fly to Paradise” – Performed by Eric Whitacre’s Virtual Choir 4
These final videos are all from Playing for Change. There are probably more videos out there but here is just a taste. They have a .com website “Connecting the World through Music” and then the Playing for Change foundation “Creating Positive Change through Music & Arts Education”. All the videos are created with various music artists of various ages from around the world. There is one video from the foundation that was made in conjunction with Turnaround Arts that features Jason Mraz and students from our elementary school so I, of course, had to include that one! Playing for Change is definitely an organization worth checking out. I have yet to view one of their videos and not feel better after seeing it! And here are the more healing power of music list.
“Everyday People” – Performed by students involved in Turnaround Arts and Playing for Change.
“Celebration” – Playing for Change
“Don’t Worry Be Happy” – Playing for Change
