By Danielle Rexrode
THE ERICKSON TRIBUNE
Researchers at the University of Maryland School of Medicine have confirmed what people living at Charlestown and Oak Crest have known for years: Music is good for your heart.
"We had previously demonstrated that positive emotions, such as laughter, were good for vascular health," says study author Michael Miller, M.D. "So a logical question was whether other emotions, such as those evoked by music, have a similar effect."
The answer is apparently so! When study participants listened to music that made them feel good, it caused tissue in the inner lining of their blood vessels to expand, increasing blood flow. This is welcome news for the men and women living at Charlestown and Oak Crest, where music is part of everyday life.
"Music and our communities go hand in hand," says Retirement Counselor Steffany Byers. "We have dozens of talented musicians living at Charlestown and Oak Crest, as well as many opportunities to hear great music."
The two communities, along with Riderwood in Silver Spring, have even partnered with the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra to sponsor a series of concerts through May 2009.
Bring in the talent
"We’ve had a long list of wonderful artists perform here in the community," says Irma Seitz, Oak Crest resident and concert coordinator.The concert committee—including Seitz, part-time concert coordinator Sallie Horner, a planning committee of ten, and a dedicated team of nearly 80 volunteers—has hosted talents to the likes of the Towson University Chamber Ensemble, the Annapolis Bluegrass Coalition, the Baltimore Symphonic Band, and the Maryland State Boychoir.
"We try to make the entertainment diverse so there is something for everyone," says Seitz. "On average, we do about 50 to 70 concerts a year."