music Archives - Wellbeing Magazine https://wellbeingmagazine.com/tag/music/ The State of Feeling Healthy & Happy Thu, 07 Nov 2024 11:49:31 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=6.7.1 https://wellbeingmagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/cropped-cropped-Wellbeing-W-192x192-1-32x32.png music Archives - Wellbeing Magazine https://wellbeingmagazine.com/tag/music/ 32 32 Færy Releases Debut Album Rising and New Single “Ritual” https://wellbeingmagazine.com/faery-releases-debut-album-rising-and-new-single-ritual/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=faery-releases-debut-album-rising-and-new-single-ritual Thu, 07 Nov 2024 11:49:25 +0000 https://wellbeingmagazine.com/?p=108041 Australian indie dream-pop artist Færy (Liana Cornell) has officially released her debut album, Rising, alongside the mesmerizing new single “Ritual,”

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Australian indie dream-pop artist Færy (Liana Cornell) has officially released her debut album, Rising, alongside the mesmerizing new single “Ritual,”. Known for her ability to blend themes of love, healing, and nature, Færy’s work invites listeners into a spiritual sonic journey that balances untamed freedom with mystical energy. Released through Rising Records, Rising is available to download and stream now.

Exploring Themes of Healing and Rebirth on Rising

The debut album Rising showcases Færy’s unique ability to weave sound healing elements with alternative indie and dream-pop vibes, resulting in an experience that feels both deeply meditative and hauntingly beautiful. Building upon the powerful singles “Ostara,” “Blýth,” “Anam Cara,” and “Beltane,” Rising takes listeners through a journey of healing and transformation, echoing the significance of its Samhain (Halloween) release date. Known as the witches’ New Year, Samhain is a time for introspection and rebirth, aligning perfectly with the album’s overarching themes of inner growth and regeneration.

Reflecting on her album, Færy explains, “Rising was designed to help retune your body and mind, harnessing the ancient practice of music as medicine. Each track is crafted with intention, offering a space for personal transformation, emotional release, and inner balance.” Her dedication to blending emotional depth with sound therapy principles makes this album a transformative listening experience for fans of mindful and intentional music.

“Ritual”: A Spellbinding New Single

“Ritual,” the latest single from Rising, captures Færy’s artistic soul. With ethereal soundscapes, tribal rhythms, and the healing tones of Solfeggio frequencies, the track invites listeners into a space where love transcends the superficial. Partly recorded in a mystical forest near a Kyoto temple, the song features lines from Færy’s own poetry, such as, “I birth worlds from in between my legs,” celebrating the power of inner beauty and self-transformation.

The single “Ritual” immerses audiences in a sonic world that bridges nature’s beauty with raw, personal introspection. Inspired by ancient spiritual practices and Færy’s own journey of self-discovery, the track is a deeply personal yet universally resonant ode to inner power.

A Sonic Journey Through the Wiccan Calendar

Each track on Rising corresponds to a significant moment in the Wiccan calendar, using seasonal symbolism to convey various stages of healing and transformation. The album opens with “Athame,” a powerful invocation designed to cut through the surface and initiate listeners on a sacred journey, much like a traditional Pagan circle casting.

Other highlights include:

  • “Yule” – Celebrates the rebirth of light, symbolizing hope and renewal.
  • “Imbolc” – Reflects the first signs of spring, hinting at new beginnings and growth.
  • “Ostara” – Represents balance and renewal, embodying the energy of the spring equinox.

By grounding her music in Wiccan traditions, Færy offers listeners a way to connect to ancient cycles of nature and healing, transforming Rising into a ritual experience for modern listeners.

Collaboration and Sound Healing

Recorded in the serene landscape of Cornwall, Rising was crafted with the help of acclaimed producer Will Vaughan, known for his work with Oliver Tree, Dorian Electra, and Mae Muller. The album features healing Solfeggio frequencies and environmental soundscapes gathered over a decade, making Rising a celebration of regeneration in mind, body, spirit, and nature.

“Working with Will Vaughan was incredible,” Færy shared. “We were able to blend healing sounds with ambient environmental recordings, creating an album that not only transports but heals.”

About Færy (Liana Cornell)

Liana Cornell, the artist behind Færy, hails from Byron Bay, Australia. Known for her roles in TV series like Britannia, Wolf Creek, and Love Child, she’s also an environmentalist, filmmaker, and advocate for nature preservation. In 2021, she launched the Refugia project and accompanying documentary series, which highlight individuals and communities working to protect our planet.

With her debut album Rising, Færy steps into the world of music, bringing her love for nature, spirituality, and art into one cohesive project. Rising is an offering to those seeking deeper connections to themselves and the world around them, marking an exciting new chapter in Færy’s creative evolution.

Connect with Færy

Listen to Rising and “Ritual” Today

Færy’s debut album Rising and her latest single “Ritual” are now available on all major streaming platforms. Listen today to embark on a sonic journey that soothes the spirit and celebrates the beauty of rebirth. LISTEN

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Liana Cornell: A Healing Journey Through Music and Life https://wellbeingmagazine.com/liana-cornell-a-healing-journey-through-music-and-life/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=liana-cornell-a-healing-journey-through-music-and-life Tue, 20 Aug 2024 13:02:00 +0000 http://3styler.org/themes/anymag/main/?p=1 Liana Cornell is a multi-faceted artist whose highly anticipated album, Rising, is set to release on October 31st, coinciding with the Celtic New Year. I was fortunate enough to hear the first track, “Anam Cara” (Soul Friend), ahead of our interview.

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Over the last 18 years, I have had the privilege of interviewing countless individuals who radiate a profound inner light. These are the people whose presence alone can inspire and uplift you, urging you to be the best version of yourself. Sitting across from Liana Cornell was like being in the presence of an ethereal being. Her soft-spoken nature, the warmth in her eyes, and the love that seemed to emanate from her every word made this interview one of the most memorable. As we discussed her new album, Rising, and the personal healing journey that shaped it, I was reminded of the incredible power of resilience and the beauty of turning pain into art.

Liana Cornell is a multi-faceted artist whose highly anticipated album, Rising, is set to release on October 31st, coinciding with the Celtic New Year. I was fortunate enough to hear the first track, “Anam Cara” (Soul Friend), ahead of our interview. The song, released in August, left me captivated by its depth and beauty. Inspired by healing frequencies that align with the chakras, Liana’s music is a reflection of her own journey through illness and grief, particularly the loss of her father, who has continued to guide her through this transformative process.

Sitting across from Liana, it was hard to reconcile the vibrant, healthy woman before me with the story of her diagnosis with a condition—a condition she was told she would live with for the rest of her life. Yet, Liana’s belief and determination have proven that when you put your mind to something, anything is possible. She is well on her way to full recovery, a journey she attributes to her upbringing in Byron Bay, surrounded by healers and mystics who gave her the confidence and knowledge to overcome her diagnosis.

A Healing Journey Begins

“I come from a line of women who are very into herbalism and homeopathy,” Liana began, reflecting on her childhood. “I also grew up with a lot of nature-based practices around, like Wicca and Celtic lineage, and things like that. I am from Byron Bay, which, when I was growing up, was like a hotspot of all different wellbeing modalities. I started meditating and practicing yoga when I was really young.”

Byron Bay, known for its strong spiritual and healing energy, played a significant role in shaping Liana’s approach to health and wellness. “It’s a very feminine, healing energy,” she explained. “It’s where the rainforest meets the ocean, and it’s really special. Growing up in that environment, you experience things that others may not. I would see people meditating in the middle of the street, and there was a lot of gratitude practice and things like that.”

Her wellness journey, deeply intertwined with her spiritual journey, took on new urgency when she was diagnosed with a disease in her 20s. “I brought into practice all the things I had learned growing up—through food, meditation,” Liana said. “I became a Reiki healer, then a Reiki master, which, along with other holistic practices, and within three months, helped me manage my condition in ways I hadn’t expected, as told I would have for the rest of my life. I think it was very stress-related too.”

Liana’s story is a testament to the power of holistic healing. “My experience with the condition has been unique, and I’ve been fortunate to find ways that significantly improved my quality of life.” she continued. “I think that not only having a really good relationship with food, growing my own food, and all the things I had learned, like the work of Louise Hay, it helped me to see the patterns in my illness and how they were all connected emotionally, and helping me finding the root cause.”

The Healing Power of Music

As Liana continued her journey of self-healing, she began to explore the healing frequencies of music. This exploration eventually led to the creation of her album Rising, which transports listeners on a journey through the seven chakras. Each track created to enhance relaxation and mental wellbeing, utilising scientifically proven frequencies such as 396 Hz, 417 Hz, and 528 Hz to promote mindfulness and healing.

“I started working on this album, and as I had finished recording the first song, which is the first single, I received the news that my father was dying,” Liana shared. “I spent the next four hours singing to him and telling him stories, kind of guiding him into the next realm. The rest of the album really took on a deeply healing journey.”

What struck me most about Liana’s music is its accessibility. “What people hear when they listen to it doesn’t necessarily sound like healing music,” she explained. “I wanted it to be multi-genre to reach different people who wouldn’t necessarily listen to healing music.”

Indeed, when I first listened to “Anam Cara,” I expected it to sound like New Age music. Instead, it was the type of music I could easily imagine playing on the radio alongside mainstream artists. Liana’s goal was to make healing music available and accessible to people who may not have considered listening to it before.

“The album was really allowing me to hold on to something through the healing process,” she said. “Music is one of the most powerful tools that we have. The frequencies are based off Gregorian chants from the 1500s, and in modern day, they’ve been linked to chakra points.”

Liana believes that the world is ready for this type of music. “Previously, it’s been seen as a bit ‘woo-woo,’ but now there are more and more studies coming out showing the benefits of certain types of music and sound frequencies to heal ourselves on a cellular level,” she said.

Music as a Tool for Healing and Connection

Liana’s music is a reflection of her personal journey, and it’s clear that she has poured her heart and soul into this album. “Anam Cara” is aligned with the heart chakra and is a track very close to her own heart. “The whole song is about that longing for love outside but then also finding love within, which I think is kind of the key to give ourselves self-love,” she said. “I love self-love, I’m really into it.”

Another single on the album is inspired by Taoist philosophy, which Liana studied during the lockdown.“I studied beneath a Zen Buddhist called Hung Tran, and an Ordained Taoist Monk called David from Wu Wei Wisdom. It really helped me with the immense grief I was carrying,” she said. “like many people during that time, I faced numerous challenges, which helped me connect more deeply with my own healing journey and with others going through similar experiences.

Inspired by Zen Buddhism, one of the album’s tracks is about recognising that you’re not the weather, but the actual thing experiencing the weather. “So you’re not the clouds, but you’re the sky; you’re not the waves, but you’re the ocean. Anytime I felt these big emotions coming through, I was able to kind of observe myself, still experience it, but observe myself rather than get lost in it.”

This philosophy helped Liana navigate some of the most challenging experiences of her life. “It was just one thing after another—and then realising that for me and my own belief system, I’d signed up for these things and was able to experience them because I was strong enough and capable. Then, to be able to take the things that I’ve learned and offer them to people who are also going through those experiences, for me, is like the gold out of it.”

A New Chapter in Cornwall

Liana’s journey has taken her far from her roots in Byron Bay, and she is currently in Cornwall. I was curious about how her mystical, Wiccan lifestyle might fit in with her new neighbours. “Being in Cornwall amongst different faiths and religions as introduced me to diverse perspectives, and I cherish the opportunity to learn from and connect with my new community,” she said.

What Liana has discovered is that, despite our differences, we all have the same fundamental desires: “We all want access to healthcare, education, food, community and to feel safe, with a roof over our heads. I feel like this is the thing to focus on and looking at how we can provide those solutions. And so I think that doing this, so much can be gained.”

She is a big believer in focusing on the good. “I think it’s really important to recognise the inequalities and the things that need to be solved, but I also think it’s good to focus on all the good stuff and believe in making what we deem impossible, possible”

Liana’s journey from actress to musician has been one of courage and determination. “People thought I was nuts when I wanted to record an album because I was an actor,” she admitted. “But just to be able to go and do it because you never know—there might only be one person who connects to it, but if it helps them blossom in their own way, that would be wonderful.”

Her message to others is clear: “I believe that many people have beautiful ideas waiting to be realised. I encourage you to pursue them, as the journey can be incredibly nourishing and rewarding. Take the leap because it just is the most nourishing process for me and for other people. So I think that’s probably the kind of thing that I feel most passionately about from this experience.”

A Musical Offering to the World

As I wrapped up my interview with Liana, I couldn’t help but feel a deep sense of admiration for her journey. She has taken the pain and challenges of her life and transformed them into something beautiful—a gift of healing and connection through music. Rising is not just an album; it’s a testament to the power of self-love, resilience, and the healing power of art.

For those who listen to Liana Cornell’s music, it will undoubtedly be a journey—a journey through the chakras, through the frequencies that heal, and through the experiences that shape us. And in doing so, it may just inspire others to embark on their own journeys of healing and self-discovery.

Anam Cara is now available to stream on all major streaming platforms. Anam Cara is the third single from faery’s debut album, Rising, due for release late 2024

Listen Here

Discover www.lianacornell.com

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Brighton Early Music Festival Returns at Full Strength for 2023 https://wellbeingmagazine.com/brighton-early-music-festival-returns-at-full-strength-for-2023/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=brighton-early-music-festival-returns-at-full-strength-for-2023 Fri, 30 Jun 2023 12:10:00 +0000 https://wellbeingmagazine.com/?p=98731 After three years of disruption, experimentation, and adapting to circumstances, Brighton Early Music Festival returns this autumn in full pre-pandemic style with more than 20 events during September and October 2023. Artistic Director Deborah Roberts says: “Finally we are back as a full autumn festival after some challenging years! It was interesting to experiment with […]

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After three years of disruption, experimentation, and adapting to circumstances, Brighton Early Music Festival returns this autumn in full pre-pandemic style with more than 20 events during September and October 2023.

Artistic Director Deborah Roberts says: “Finally we are back as a full autumn festival after some challenging years! It was interesting to experiment with spreading our activities throughout the seasons but, by popular demand, our main focus now returns to three October weekends. Come and join us!”

Taking place in a variety of venues across the city, the main festival events run Friday 13 – Saturday 28 October 2023. Highlights include:

  • The Gesualdo Six and Fretwork with immersive music drama Secret Byrd directed by Bill Barclay (13 October)
  • BBC Music Magazine award-winners Helen Charlston and Toby Carr celebrating women in history (21 October) and 
  • The Whispering Dome – a large-scale multi media event bringing together music from Europe, Morocco and West Africa (15 October)

The Festival will also be hosting its annual showcase of up and coming early music ensembles (21 October) and welcoming back several ensembles including Ensemble Hesperi and Fieri Consort who have been part of the young artist scheme in previous years.

Before the main Festival, a series of pre-events run from 16 September offering opportunities to take part in choral and instrumental workshops (16 & 30 September), or bring the whole family for OAE TOTS family concerts (7 October) or a ceilidh celebrating the music of John Playford’s The English Dancing Master (30 September). 

BREMF will be popping up around the city too, with free performances of music by William Byrd (23 September) and a baroque-ground-bass-meets-jazz fusion event (12 October).

Tickets start at £5, and are free for under-12s & half price for 12-25s, students and benefit recipients and go on general sale on 31 July following priority booking for Festival Friends.

Browse the full festival programme and book tickets (from 31 July) at www.bremf.org.uk/whats-on

Cathy Boyes

Festival Producer, Brighton Early Music Festival

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Conscious listening can improve wellbeing https://wellbeingmagazine.com/conscious-listening-can-improve-wellbeing/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=conscious-listening-can-improve-wellbeing Fri, 22 May 2020 13:06:02 +0000 https://wellbeingmagazine.com/?p=91043 Numerous scientific studies have shown that music can benefit us physiologically, psychologically, and cognitively. Amid the coronavirus pandemic we are turning to music more than ever, but are we getting its full benefits?

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Dr Sean Olive

Numerous scientific studies have shown that music can benefit us physiologically, psychologically, and cognitively. Amid the coronavirus pandemic we are turning to music more than ever, but are we getting its full benefits? Audio expert Dr Sean Olive explains that when used consciously and paired with ‘active listening’, music can be used as a tool to help manage our emotions and improve our wellbeing. Here are his tips to improve your listening technique and gain music’s full benefits.

Studies since the spread of coronavirus have shown that 58 per cent of people are listening to music while in lockdown. And it has never been a better time to indulge in music. A study conducted by HARMAN and market research company FutureSource* found that 92 per cent of Brits believe music eases everyday pressures, while 81 per cent say music makes them feel happy.

Music stimulates the emotions and contributes to a sense of happiness and wellbeing. Music can modify our mood, reduce stress and anxiety, improve our productivity and sleep, and it can also enhance our memory and productivity.

Dr. Olive explains: “Our biorhythms, our heart rate, blood pressure and breathing for example, tend to synchronise with the beat of the music. Slower, softer, calm music tends to relax us whereas faster paced sounds arouse energy. Music produces neurochemicals in our brain including dopamine, which is associated with pleasure and rewards, much like food, sex and drugs, but less addictive and without negative side effects.”

Deep listening

Dr. Olive wants to promote a reinstating of active and ‘deep listening’ that will help us get the most out of the listening experience. But how do you achieve this deep listening?

“First, we encourage people to give music listening their full attention. This may seem obvious, but the majority of people listen to music in the background,” explains Dr. Olive. “At home, turn off distractions like TVs, and phones, dim the lights and turn the volume to a moderate level – 75-80 dBA for the technical minded – not so loud to cause hearing fatigue or disturb neighbours, but not too soft to obscure details in the music. Then, sit back, relax, close your eyes and listen. Really listen and absorb the music.”

It’s not just about our focus when listening to music, it’s how we choose to listen to it. Today’s music consumption tends to take a ‘snacking’ approach. We typically play single tracks selected individually or in a compilation, quickly identifying tracks that we don’t enjoy and skipping them. This approach isn’t helping us get the most physical, mental and emotional health benefits from music.

“We encourage people to listen to full albums or complete musical works; this is really important. That way, the full musical structure, aesthetic and emotional ‘storyline’ can be appreciated. This is more fulfilling than an algorithmically-determined mishmash of tunes. Thirdly, we believe that the quality of the recording and the playback equipment are essential to deliver the correct timbre, dynamics and spatial richness of the performance,” said Dr. Olive.

According to the aforementioned survey, good sound quality triggers positive emotions such as feeling uplifted (49 per cent) or feeling relaxed (38 per cent), while bad sound quality triggers negative emotions such as dissatisfaction (45 per cent), annoyance (42 per cent), or disappointment (34 per cent). Setting up your speakers to ensure they have good interaction with the room acoustics is important and affects the quality and quantity of bass, but for those who lack space and budget, good headphones that fit around the ears are an excellent alternative.

Combined, these techniques can help to reach a deeper state of listening. You’ll know you’ve got there when your toes are tapping and you are losing yourself in the melody, singing along and feeling those music-induced chills down your back. “Most importantly, you’ll forget what’s going on around you and be completely immersed. Today’s thoughts about coronavirus and the difficulties we’re all facing will have disappeared for a few minutes,” adds Dr. Olive.

Emotional effects

As for the emotional effect, that all comes down to the choice of music itself. Music and data scientists can predict the emotional effect of music on listeners by extracting and modelling the acoustic features. “Tempo, melody, rhythm, dynamics, spectral characteristics and musical complexity, amongst others, will produce an emotion, but that of course may vary depending on the individual listener and their preferences and familiarity with the music,” explains Dr. Olive.

Most of us could do with a helping hand to feel positive against the background of the coronavirus pandemic. “When you feel down, often out of habit you’ll pick sad or melancholy music that reflects your mood,” says Dr. Olive. “This of course will mean that you continue along that avenue of thought and feeling. However, consciously choosing and actively listening to music that reflects how you’d like to feel can have a huge impact. It can be a hard task to pick upbeat music when you’re feeling off colour, but doing so will help you get back on track and reconnect with that positive frame of mind.”

To help, Dr. Olive has put together a playlist that includes a selection of music that will help us feel energised and calm. “This playlist combines some fantastic uplifting and positivity-inducing tracks thanks to their tempo and dynamics. Alongside, there are some smoother, more soothing and calming tracks to help any stresses ebb away.”

Dr. Sean Olive’s music to get you through coronavirus lockdown:

  • The Four Seasons – Vivaldi
  • I Hear Music – Ella Fitzgerald & Oscar Peterson
  • Shine on Your Shoes – Mel Tormé
  • Hey Ya! – OutKast
  • Happy (from Despicable Me 2) – Pharrell Williams
  • September – Earth, Wind & Fire
  • Sexual Healing – Marvin Gaye
  • The Planets, Op. 32 – 4. Jupiter, the Bringer of Jollity – Orchestre Symphonique de Montréa

* Consumer research conducted by Future Source, August 2019 on the ‘Future of Listening’. 8,000 consumers from US, UK, France, Germany, the Netherlands and South Korea were surveyed.

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Zoned Out! https://wellbeingmagazine.com/zoned-out/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=zoned-out Tue, 01 Nov 2016 14:55:05 +0000 http://wellbeingmagazine.com/?p=87532 Sara Wiseman asks “Are your kids zoned out by overstimulating children’s media?” Three well-studied elements—nature, music and laughter—create powerful physiological changes that help kids relax. Parents and grandparents are always seeking ways to help kids wind down. Yet so often the common choice: putting on a movie—actually stresses kids out more. That’s because most mainstream […]

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Sara Wiseman asks “Are your kids zoned out by overstimulating children’s media?”

Three well-studied elements—nature, music and laughter—create powerful physiological changes that help kids relax.

Parents and grandparents are always seeking ways to help kids wind down.

Yet so often the common choice: putting on a movie—actually stresses kids out more.
That’s because most mainstream children’s media is over stimulating. Instead of relaxing children, it winds them up, makes them anxious or zones them out—the exact opposite of what’s intended.

In choosing children’s media that will positively benefit kids, three elements are key according to Dr. Steve Koc, an Oregon chiropractor who’s worked for 40 years helping clients of all ages relax, de-stress and heal.

“Nature, music and humor are powerful healers,” said Koc. “Each element by itself is a natural de-stressor that creates physiological and hormonal shifts in the body. When you combine them together, you have a powerful agent for relaxation and stress relief.”

It’s not the first time the healing properties of nature, music and laughter have been noted by the scientific and holistic communities.

A Japanese study found that those who practiced shinrin-yoku (walking and staying in forests) experienced greater stress reduction. Dr. Masura Emoto, author of Messages from Water, gained worldwide acclaim for his research in vibrational sound, and Dr. Mitchell Gaynor documents his findings in The Healing Power of Sound. The acclaimed Norman Cousins researched the healing power of laugher in his book The Anatomy of an Illness, to name a few.

Koc became so intrigued by the idea of using these three elements—nature, music and laughter—for stress relief, he created Gnomies World, an award-winning animated children’s movie designed to help kids relax.

The film follows the adventures of the Gnomies, a merry band of characters who live deep in the woods, go on peaceful adventures in nature, and bring laughter to all.

“On the one hand, Gnomies World is light and frivolous,” said Koc. “Yet there is an underlying science in the making of this movie that is designed for deep healing. As one gets immersed into the world of the Gnomies, the brain and body are affected in uplifting and healing ways.”

“In my four decades of clinical practice, I’ve always sought out natural ways to assist the healing process. I’ve found very good results using breathing exercises, along with visual images that create a state of inner peace, and sound healing,” Koc said.

“Gnomies World uses all of these modalities in addition to the laughter response, to create a state of relaxation in the body.” Koc said. Because of this, the film differs from most children’s media in several key ways:

Peace and kindness

“There’s no violence in the film,” said Koc. “The Gnomies are kind and respectful to each other. Nowadays, popular children’s shows are loaded with sarcasm, witty put downs, and attitudes of “me, me, me. This negativity disguised as humor trains children and adults to think and act in ways that lead to negative outcomes.”

“There is an intention to create peace and harmony through this film. There is an intention to leave the audience in a state of higher vibration or attunement. There is an intention to uplift those who watch it,” Koc said.

“What we watch and listen to feeds our thoughts and feelings. When we focus on positivity, we reap the benefits in physical and emotional health,” he noted.

Interactive nature

Nature also plays a starring role in the film.
“Without doubt, nature heals,” said Koc. “The studies are clear about the benefits of being in natural settings, with practices like forest bathing, earthing, green spaces and being outside. From a healing perspective, the benefits of exposure to nature are pretty much the same as the benefits from laughter itself: stimulation of the immune system, reduction of stress, and relaxation of the muscles.”

Gnomies World is designed to bring real-life, non-commercialized, actual nature to children. It was filmed on 12 private acres in the Oregon forests south of Portland. “I spent a lot of times outdoors,” said Koc. “I spent hours wandering amongst the trees, moss and mud with a camera.”

Reviewing the footage, Koc was surprised to see unexpected nature show up: “Out of nowhere, a frog jumped onto one of the Gnomie’s heads, and a curious hummingbird dropped by. A bumblebee showed up unexpectedly. Nature is always interacting with us in wonderful ways.”

Sound therapy

The soundtrack is specifically designed to create a healing response in the body.

An expert in sound healing: Koc has produced four award-winning healing music CDs, and has used sound healing in his clinical practice for forty years.

“Sound therapy is well-documented as a healing modality. The way we choose beats, tones and vibration creates changes in the physiology.” he said. The movie is imbued with original music that helps relax and release tension.”

Laughter—the best medicine

“Plain and simple, laughter heals,” said Koc. “The mind and body let go of stress when we laugh—and this true for both children and adults.

“The feel-good chemicals of the brain, endorphins and the like, are enhanced while at the same time the stress-related chemicals such as cortisol and epinephrine are reduced. It’s well-documented that the immune system also gets a healthy boost as a result of laughing, and our breath and circulation are affected in positive ways.”

In 2016, Gnomies World won Best Animated Film at the Northwest Comic Fest, and Official Selection at the Oregon Independent Film Festival.
Gnomies World is available on DVD from Beyond Words Publishing. For information, visit www.gnomiesworld.com

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New music project for Westdene pupils https://wellbeingmagazine.com/major-new-music-project-schools/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=major-new-music-project-schools Sat, 01 Nov 2014 14:51:09 +0000 http://wellbeingmagazine.com/?p=1256 Seventeen Year 4 pupils from Westdene Primary School had their first lesson on the bassoon (an orchestral instrument which is now something of a rarity) last month as part of Watercycle – a major new music project being run by Brighton Early Music Festival and the Orchestra of the Age of Enlightenment, in partnership with […]

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Seventeen Year 4 pupils from Westdene Primary School had their first lesson on the bassoon (an orchestral instrument which is now something of a rarity) last month as part of Watercycle – a major new music project being run by Brighton Early Music Festival and the Orchestra of the Age of Enlightenment, in partnership with SoundCity: Brighton & Hove, the city’s Music Education Hub.

Watercycle is an orchestral journey inspired by water, taking place with the Orchestra of the Age of Enlightenment in 9 different settings across the country during 2014/15. The project encompasses teacher training, primary and secondary school workshops, and workshops for excluded groups and community groups, as well as orchestral concerts.

Thanks to generous funding from the Mark Williams Foundation, the project in Brighton has a specific bassoon focus, and pupils at Westdene are benefitting from a term’s free lessons on the instrument, funded by SoundCity. Westdene Music Co-ordinator Emma Bright says: “this is an amazing opportunity for our Year 4 pupils. We currently have 17 children learning the bassoon all funded by SoundCity. They are thoroughly enjoying their lessons with Lucy Keyes from Brighton & Hove Music Service and practising hard for their first public performance in December”. Peter Chivers from SoundCity commented: “the bassoon is a fantastically versatile instrument that plays a vital role in many music groups. However it is not always an obvious choice, with a decreasing number of children choosing to learn. We are pleased to be working in partnership to bring this exciting opportunity to the children and hope the project will have a lasting impact by significantly boosting the number of children playing bassoon in the city.”

As part of the project, the Orchestra travelled to Brighton for three concerts on Friday 17th and Saturday 18th October. On 17th October they brought their acclaimed classical club night The Night Shift to a sold out Marlborough Pub & Theatre, and on 18th October young Brighton music lovers were treated to two OAE TOTS concerts for 2-5 year olds and their families. Brighton Early Music Festival continues until 9th November with 26 events in venues across Brighton & Hove. For full details and ticket booking please see www.bremf.org.uk or call 01273 709709.

Brighton Early Music Festival 2014 is funded by Arts Council England, Brighton & Hove City Council, The Dutton-Downing Trust, The Fenton Arts Trust, The Stanley Picker Trust and the Angus Allnatt Charitable Foundation. In addition to the main Festival, BREMF organises education work throughout the year, reaching over 1500 children each year in Brighton & Hove schools, as well as running three choirs. The Festival’s 2014 education work is supported by Southern Water, The Garfield Weston Foundation, The East Brighton Trust, and the Mark Williams Foundation. Brighton Early Music Festival is a Registered Charity No. 1097288 and a company limited by guarantee, registered in England No. 4741864.

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