The Minnesota Orchestra continues to experiment with new ways of reaching people, even by delving into their mental health.
It's a concert. It's an education. And it's even a bit of a therapy session.
The first installment of what's called Music and Healing tackled anxiety, combining the full orchestra with mental health experts, and even audience members' and musicians' personal experiences with it.
It's the brainchild of Minnesota Orchestra Conductor Sarah Hicks, who has struggled with anxiety herself.
"Using music as a tool, for healing and wellness and connection, is tremendously important to me," Hicks tells WCCO's Laura Oakes. "So it was an incredible opportunity to bring together all of these elements that hopefully create something that someone else will find helpful."
Hicks hosts the Music and Healing concerts which will be an online collection of conversations along with a full concert and excerpts performed by the Minnesota Orchestra, with musicians, special guest artists and experts who share ways in which music can help understand, process, express and accept the anxiety that so many feel and experience.
"Part of an orchestra's mission is service community, and be a part of the larger, cultural conversations that are happening in the community that it serves," Hicks explains. "So in this case, it really is looking at the interests and needs and broader musical ways that we can reach audiences."
Hicks says listening to or playing music can be incredibly healing, and music and mindfulness are inextricably tied.
"There's so much great symphonic music that's not necessarily part of the classical cannon, we are able to play and we should be playing, so I think it provides this incredible variety of music," Hicks said. "And makes the orchestra much more than just a place where you can hear Mozart, but it becomes a musical center for a city, a community, and that's what I think is important to the Minnesota Orchestra."
MORE: Listen below for Laura Oakes' full interview with conductor Sarah Hicks.
The first Music and Healing concert, including Sarah's conversations with mental health experts, is now posted on the Minnesota Orchestra's website or on YouTube.
Many people are experiencing heightened states of anxiety and depression. If you need support, please reach out to a healthcare professional. Learn more and find help and resources at namimn.org or in a crisis call 988.