It happened like a record scratch—there you are in the middle of the grocery store, absentmindedly evaluating the sodium content of a jar of pasta sauce when you hear it: between muffled price check calls, the summer anthem that defined your youth sputters defiantly out of the tinny PA system.

If you can forgive the pun, it’s jarring to hear the music you ascribe to your carefree days and long summer nights free of responsibility out of context—time falls away as you parse through the years, mystified as they condense into decades. “How can something that feels like it was yesterday have happened so long ago? Where did the time go?”

But all is not lost. In fact, that startling incident in the canned goods aisle has the potential to take you on a voyage of (re)discovery.

More than a feeling
To some, the study of music is nothing more than a frivolous pursuit, but a deeper exploration reveals music is intrinsically entrenched into the core of human experience. Archaeologists have uncovered traces of human-crafted drums in China dating around 5500 BC, and musical notations on cuneiform tablets in ancient Babylonia from 1400 BCE, along with a myriad of other instruments fashioned from natural materials scattered across the globe. There is no definitive evidence pointing to a single timeframe or geographical region that can be credited with the manifestation of music—it’s truly a universal cultural phenomenon.

Music is so deeply ingrained in our collective humanity; it transcends language barriers and serves as a universal beacon for self-expression, a platform for rituals, and a community builder. Music is also much more than just a social construct: if fact, many scientists are now studying music as a biological function.

Memories are made of this
There’s a reason you had such a visceral response to hearing your favourite song in the pasta aisle. More than any other external stimuli, music appreciation is the original multitasker—activating every part of the brain, stimulating neuroreceptors, releasing dopamine, and creating new neuropathways. Think about it: when playing an instrument, you have to keep time, read or recall notes in sequence, be aware of your breathing, finger position, and what accompanying musicians are playing simultaneously.

“Sure,” you might think,“but I didn’t bring a guitar to the grocery store.” That’s the beauty of music though—you don’t need to know how to play an instrument for your brain to respond. It’s why you choose a high-tempo playlist to amp up your workouts, why you cry during a sad movie, and why jingles stick in your head—your intraneural pathways all light up like your very own personal discotheque, the second you recognised the song. Party on!

And this is precisely why music therapy works.

Instead of Peter, Paul, and Mary…
Meet Jill, Peter, and Jimmy. The trio are responsible for bringing music to United—in very different ways.

You’ll often see Peter Exner strolling into the community with choir books in hand. Peter is United’s choir director, and leading the residents in song, he brings more than just harmony to the community.

“I love leading the choir,” Peter says, “Beyond the joy of singing together, I see residents building their confidence, and working together in rehearsal for community performances. Last year, the residents performed at the St. Mary’s University Christmas concert—they were so well received by the audience, which included the student body, fellow residents, and family members. It’s a lot of fun, and they want to show their best—performing offers residents a sense of purpose and pride when they bring the house down.”

Jimmy Downey is a certified music therapist, and you may hear him before you see him in the community. Friday mornings, you can stop by the theatre to shake, rattle, and roll along with Jimmy and his trusty bag of instruments. While anyone is welcome to take part, Jimmy’s music sessions resonate especially well with residents experiencing symptoms of cognitive decline.

“Connecting to music physically through the instruments and singing along to the lyrics is more than just entertainment: it’s an exercise for the brain, keeping the mind and senses engaged and activated” says Jimmy, “For someone experiencing memory loss, they may lose words, but they can connect through song. Music therapy may not look (or sound) like a traditional therapy session, but the benefits are profound, and offer a real and tangible impact beyond entertainment, to those who participate.”

Jill LaForty, United’s music director, has spent a lifetime amplifying the voices of musicians. Her work at United has forged partnerships with an incredible array of musical organizations in Calgary, including names like the Calgary Philharmonic Orchestra, Mount Royal University Conservatory, Honens, and Calgary Jazz Orchestra.

Such partnerships offer residents the opportunity to attend world-class performances across the city, along with in-community concerts with local musicians and key players in the city’s music, arts and culture scene. Beyond live performances, Jill, and colleague music educator and jazz musician Mark DeJong, host music appreciation lectures in the community with topics ranging from deep-dive biographies of prolific artists and introduction to world music, to offbeat talks about music in commercials, music and sport, and other wide-ranging interests. “Music is a gateway to connection,” says Jill, “And having a robust music program means residents have a lot to choose from, taking their personal tastes into account, and offering the opportunity to hear something new. The passion residents have for music has challenged me to continue to pursue new performers in the city and expand my musical knowledge too. It’s really rewarding.”

Come together
United’s music programming doesn’t just bring notes and melodies to life and opportunities for nostalgia; it sparks connection, creativity, and community for residents. Whether it's the choir harmonizing under Peter’s direction, Jimmy’s music therapy sessions offering cognitive benefits, or the incredible performances and partnerships curated by Jill, music at United is more than entertainment — it’s a lifeline to memories, self-expression, and shared experiences.

As we continue to amplify the importance of music in residents’ lives, we invite you to join us in celebrating the power of music at the Calgary Phil’s Beethoven’s Emperor concert or come visit our communities to take in the many musical experience on offer each month as part of our extensive monthly programming.

The beat goes on at United – feel free to stop by if you’re ‘In the mood’ to join us on a musical journey!

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