Sigma Alpha Iota

sai-national.org • SPRING 2016 • PAN PIPES 21 C D E H I J K N O P S T U X Y Z C D E I J K N O P T U X Y Z Flutist Learns a New Way to Play Following Stroke THE HEALING POWER OF MUSIC "I feel complete again," says SAI Rae Ter- penning. Six years ago Rae, a professional flutist, suf- fered a stroke and lost much of the function on her le side. anks to a lot of determination and the work of Maarten Visser, an innovative wood- wind maker in the Netherlands, Rae is making music again. As soon as she began physical rehab fol- lowing the stroke, Rae's goal was to play her flute again. It had been an essential part of her life since she was nine years old. But, how do you play a flute with only your right hand? Her husband, Charles, also a professional musician, began searching the internet, and found Visser, who had successfully adapted instruments for people with physical disabilities. Aer extended communication about Rae's wants and needs, a mock up instrument answered a lot of questions. e head joint is curved so that the flute is played vertically. A complex set of keys accommodates the notes usually produced by both hands. is also keeps the instrument to a physically reachable length. A special stand sup- ports the instrument. Rae was determined to have a flute that would sound good, so she committed the Powell flute that she had played in her career to be adapt- ed. e finished instrument arrived in November 2014. "ere was no book, nobody else who had experience doing this," Rae said. "You have to make it up yourself. You have to make your own rules. So I had to do a lot of experimenting to find where to put it and how to hold it and dif- ferent things like that." Her first achievement was playing Christmas carols. Charles, her coach and cheerleader during the process, was thrilled to hear flute music coming from their music room again. e big challenge was not only getting her embouchure back, but learning a new, complex fingering system. Charles relates: "I know one time, she just took…the first piece she ever stud- ied with her teacher at New England Conserva- tory, and she dug that music out and just sat there and figured a few things out," he said, "and within a few minutes, I said, I know that piece. I know what you're playing." A year aer receiving her "one-handed flute" Rae performed for the Seattle Alumnae Chapter, playing duets with Charles playing viola, and so- los accompanied by Charles. Rae told the chapter members, "As musicians, we know how to be per- sistent and work in small increments. Keep going! Don't ever give up." Rae has written an article about her journey, to be published in the Winter 2016 issue of e Flutist Quarterly. — Janice Gockel Seattle Alumnae Chapter By Pandora Menegus and TaMMy ragsdale e Tremble Clefs of San Diego County know a bit about music and its benefits for health. is group of people face the challenges of Parkinson's Disease (PD) daily. Along with their care partners, they come together to enjoy the benefits of making music together. Bill Farrington, member and recruiter for the chorus explains, "Parkinson's Disease is a progressive, debilitating disease for which there presently is no cure." ere are a variety of symptoms, each with its own demands and difficulties. One of the challenges is how PD affects the voice. One visible sign of PD that many people easily recognize is trembling. Unless you or a loved one has experienced this, you may not be aware of the affects PD can have on the voice. Vocal chords oen weaken, sound becomes barely audible, thus making communication difficult. e good news; this symptom can be treated with speech therapy. e vocal chords can be strengthened by repeated shouting or, you guessed it…singing! Farrington also shares that the care partners benefit from the social interaction, meeting other care partners and participating in the joy of singing. Fellow chorus members understand better than most the challenges and dedication needed to provide care as the disease progresses. When a patient can no longer attend, the Tremble Clefs continue as a support group for the care partners. Rachel Dolhum, MD, with e Michael J. Fox Foundation, shares that Parkinson's Disease patients face challenges in movement, due to changes in brain rhythm that can lead to "freezing up." When people listen to music and participate in musical activities, multiple areas of the brain are activated. Some people with PD have found that music allows them to communicate emotions and continue moving and speaking in a more useful pattern, sometimes calming a tremor. e Tremble Clefs of San Diego County, led by accomplished Director Kathleen Hansen, an initiate of Iota Delta at San Diego State University, has two groups that each meet once a week to prepare for performances in local communities. e Tremble Clefs have four seasons per year and each group performs 3 to 4 times per season at assisted living centers, community performances, mobile home parks, and schools. is group is comprised of individuals with PD and their care partners. With such a wide variety of people from many walks of life, there is something for everyone. To learn more about the Tremble Clefs, visit trembleclefs.com Seattle Alumnae Chapter member Rae Terpenning and husband Charles. Music for Health "Tremble Toes" dance to a Hanukkah song.

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