For Musicians

Beethoven, whose loss was his music, proclaimed, "Music should strike fire within!"  Music ignited out of loss and mourning exists in every culture, religion, and genre of music.  Lists of titles, historical examples, and virtual real-time vignettes are woven throughout the book. For you, the musician, what is your favorite genre, composer, or period in time?  What moments of music connect with your personal life-stories?   What tools already exist within you to find expression, release, hope, and healing? 

A growing theme for me is to "strike the fire" within musicians, as in opening up your own gifts, talents, and life-journeys, as you are willing.  Your musical talents, skills, and roles music provide the container.  Your life experiences spark and fuel the flame.  I hope to offer you new knowledge and understanding, and to empower you toward being in and moving loss and grief with hope and healing.  As a musician, I hope to bring meaning to music, and music for your life's movements and meanings.

Caution: Music can burn!  Remember a time when a simple melody or phrase overwhelmed you with intense emotions and memories.  The tools throughout this website, book, and conference teaching are intended to empower; never to manipulate.  CORE Principles instilled include: Care, Ownership, Respect, & Empower.  HEALing Techniques examined include: Hear, Explore, Affirm, & Learn.  Sometimes, one's best choice is silence. (And, aren't moments of silence inherent in any music composition or mode of singing and playing.

Caution: Never confuse or call your uses of music "music therapy," unless you, indeed are a board certified music therapist, or are receiving therapeutic care from a music therapist.  For more information or to find a music therapist, visit the American Music Therapy Association.

With these cautions in place, I invite you to risk knowing and expressing yourself more fully through your music.  Dare to share your experiences and music with others, creating moments of meaning, supportive intimacy, and community.  Pick up your guitar or go to your piano.  Sing quietly within or loudly all around.  Dance.  Move.  Compose your music.  Compose Life.

Web Links for Musicians

Conference Teaching for Musicians

Musicians' Reviews

"Here is a book by an authority in the field that answers many questions about healing, grief, using music as a catalyst for facing loss, and many other questions regarding life when we face loss.  Dr. Berger is a superb pianist who uses her art to help answer these basic questions." 

Maurice Hinson, DMA, internationally acclaimed piano lecturer, editor, author, and teacher

"For all of us who have experienced the deep loss of a loved one or strugged with the darkness of daily despair, this book is a pastoral voice of healing and a reminder of the power of music to transform us in Life's moments of greatest vulnerability, grief, or intimacy."

John H. Dickson, DMA, Dean, School of Music, Mercer University, choral music director