Music as Medicine: Members of Phoenix Symphony Perform for Alzheimer's and Dementia Sufferers

Members of the Phoenix Symphony participate in the B-Sharp program, performing for locals with Alzheimer's and dementia, reports Fox 10 . "I love performing on stage, but I am reaching out to people individually here and actually seeing how the music powerfully affects them," says Associate Concert Master Maggie Martinic. Doctors call music offered by programs like B-Sharp a form of medicine for such persons. "We know that music transcends the boundaries of dementia, and reaches deeply into the heart and soul of a person with dementia," said Hospice of the Valley's Maribeth Gallagher. "This is a neurochemical cascade that occurs more quickly than an IV push medication. Our heart rates, blood pressure." The B-Sharp program visits Hospice of the Valley once a month, and also performs for Valley homeless shelters and hospitals.