Posted on February 2, 2007 at 9:10 a.m.

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. – The UAB (University of Alabama at Birmingham) School of Medicine will explore the healing power of music with a combined jazz concert and lecture on music as therapy.

“Music as a universal language can serve to unite diverse cultures and populations,” said Johnny Scott, M.D., dean of the Office of Minority Enhancement in the UAB School of Medicine, which is co-sponsor of the two events. “People respond to music even if they do not respond or relate to other language forms. This concert and music therapy lecture will complement each other as they help bridge those gaps in our understanding of the diverse communities in which we live.”

The Feb. 14 concert, Music: The Universal Language and the Universal Healer, features jazz musician Roland Gresham performing with the UAB Jazz Band, the Miles College Jazz Band and the School of Medicine’s student group InFusion. The free concert is at 8 p.m. at the Alys Stephens Performing Arts Center Jemison Auditorium. Call 934-7975 for more information on tickets.

Music therapy will be the focus of a Feb. 19 lecture entitled, The Power of Music: What Music Therapy is and is Not. Featured speakers are Carol Prickett, Ph.D., professor of music, and Andrea Cevasco, assistant professor of music, both of the University of Alabama in Tuscaloosa, along with UAB Hospital’s two board-certified music therapists, Sunny Speaker and Libby Stephens. The lecture will begin at noon in Volker Hall, Room B, 1670 University Blvd. Both concert and lecture are sponsored by Medical Student Services and the Office of Minority Enhancement.

Music therapy is a health care profession that uses music to address physical, emotional, cognitive and social needs of individuals of all ages. Music therapy can be used to promote wellness, manage stress, alleviate pain, express feelings, enhance memory, improve communication and promote physical rehabilitation.

“We hope this conference can serve to increase knowledge and awareness among medical students regarding the music therapy profession,” said Stephens. “UAB Hospital strives to heal the whole patient; and therefore recognizes music therapy as a vital part of the patients' overall recovery. Music therapy can help patients meet goals that are physical, emotional, psychological and spiritual.”