In Cleveland Heights, Ohio, a classroom relaxation program called Mindful Music Moments “combines the music of the Cleveland Orchestra with meditative techniques to promote a sense of calm,” reports David Barnett in a Wednesday (5/15) video on PBS News Hour. “Every morning at 9:00, students at Canterbury [Elementary School] stop for a moment and listen to a few minutes of Cleveland Orchestra music…. The program is … the brainchild of Cincinnati yoga and movement educator Stacy Sims, who also helps trauma victims relax…. Joan Katz Napoli has run the Cleveland Orchestra’s educational efforts for the past 24 years, working with Cleveland area schools to supplement their music programs. Joan Katz Napoli: ‘There are plenty of research studies that document the effectiveness of music to improve learning outcomes, to enhance brain development.’ About 30 schools in Greater Cleveland use Mindful Music Moments…. That list includes both inner-city and suburban districts.” Erica Wigton, principal of Cleveland Heights-University Heights City School District, says Mindful Music Moments is “definitely a permanent program that we’re going to continue to use every day, just because we want to start their day in a beautiful, calm way, so that they’re ready to learn.”
Posted May 20, 2019
