Before I begin, I'll say this title may be a bit misleading. I have never attended or lead a music therapy session in my life. But I believe that I have participated in unofficial music therapy for years now. Not as the patient, but the therapist.

I have sung in choirs for just about my whole life. A cappella, girls, mixed, Church, school, you name it, in front of many types of audiences. I didn't realize that I was a type of music therapist until last summer when I went on a mission trip/choir tour to Denmark and Sweden. Since the first thought in most people's minds when they hear "mission trip" is building houses in poor, damaged areas, or creating water wells for those without access to clean water, people tended to be surprised when I said I was going on a mission trip to Denmark and Sweden. I was even surprised to learn that it was considered a mission trip. Once I got there and started my work, I understood.

We were in Europe for 11 days and each night, after a long day of touring the area, we would get in our choir uniforms, head off to the church we would be singing in for the evening, warm up and perform. It was on my second night of performing that I noticed the effect that our music had on people. It was during an old Danish christmas carol, that I had the realizationLooking in to the audience, I could see people crying, closing their eyes, smiling, dancing, and singing along. I could see the stress melting off of people faces and their eyes being filled with pure joy. And after the performance, they couldn't have been more grateful. I reflected that night and realized that I have seen this my whole life. Although sometimes, more than others, people in the audience are so thankful to us for sharing our talents and I know now that those thank you's were coming from more than just hearing a pleasant sound. At Church, the listeners were thankful for us giving them their weekly session of de-stressing, music where they could rejuvenate themselves for the week and start fresh with a clear mind and happy heart. At holiday performances, they were thankful to us for bringing cheer and a cozy sense of family, friends and nostalgia into their hearts. Everyone would leave with a smile and a certain feeling you only get around the holidays. The well-being of each individual is catered to in different ways, but it seems that people from all walks of life can participate in this type of therapy. The mental and emotional health of someone is almost as, if not more important than physical health. I believe that we are truly healing our listener's minds, hearts and souls by creating music, whether they know it or not.

Now I won't be putting Music Therapist on my resume anytime soon, but in my heart I am happy to know that I have been able to give people a little bit of healing in their stressful lives. Next time you happen to be listening to a choir somewhere, close your eyes and let the music sink in and work it's magic. It can do beautiful things to your soul and you may be surprised at how wonderful you may feel.