For those of you who may be expecting a lawyer joke, this article might be a bit of a disappointment. If you’re interested in that kind of thing – and hey, who doesn’t like a good joke? – please feel free to leave one as a comment. That said, the topic du jour is Part-Time Musicians who just happen to practice law as a day job. Couldn’t see that one coming, could you?!?!
The LA Lawyers Philharmonic
This article tells of the Los Angeles Lawyers Philharmonic Orchestra, the only orchestra in the USA known to comprise solely attorneys. Whether as judge, prosecutor, or defense attorney, being a legal profession can produce a lot of stress…and playing an instrument can help relieve that stress by focusing the mind (and body) on a creative activity far different from one’s “daily duties”. What better creative activity than music?
Below are two videos of LA Lawyers Phil performances for your enjoyment. Bravo!
Whatever your profession, music offers an outlet for talents you may not be able to fully express in your “day job”. Don’t be afraid to share your talents! By doing so, you make the world a far richer place for all of us.
I ran across this news item and wanted to share it with the greater PTM family. Some of us “more experienced” musicians may suffer from tinnitus, or a constant ringing in the ears. If this is you (or someone you know) there may be a fairly inexpensive way to combat it.
Researchers have determined that playing several hours a day of music that has been specially-adapted to remove the frequency of the ringing eventually leads to the tinnitus sufferer being better able to “tune out” that distracting and frustrating noise. This BBC news article gives more details, but here are a couple of particularly exciting tidbits:
Participants listened to the music for an average of 12 hours a week and by the end of the study, those who had been given the tailored music reported a significant drop in the level of the ringing they heard compared with those listening to the dummy version.
“The notched music approach can be considered as enjoyable, low cost, and presumably causal treatment that is capable of specifically reducing tinnitus loudness. It could significantly complement widely-used and rather indirect psychological treatment strategies.”
This treatment isn’t a silver bullet, but it’s a relatively inexpensive helper treatment that has already achieved significant results. If you or someone you love has tinnitus, don’t let it stop the music; use the music to fight back. Keep that music coming!
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If you’ve ever wondered what to get your kids (or your neighbor’s kids!) for Christmas, this cartoon might give you some good ideas. I’m reminded of the old Chinese proverb that says, “If thine enemy wrong thee, buy each of his children a drum.” :-) Hat tip to fellow trumpeter Doc D’Errico for the cartoon!
Nevertheless, there are few gifts that give as much to all involved as a musical instrument. However you may (or may not) observe Christmas, we wish you peace.
Everyone knows the old stereotype of trumpeters being a bunch of attention-hungry adolescents who delight in lording their skill over each other by belting out borderline-obscene high notes. This elegant and reverent morsel of Christmas music will dispel that myth, once and for all. Or not. Click the “Play” (arrow) button below the picture to listen.
One way or another, folks, this will have you in tears. :-)
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All the best to you and yours,
Kathy
P.S. – Mark wishes me to assure everyone that he not one of the musicians featured in this selection. Really. ;-)
That said, the topic du jour is Part-Time Musicians who just happen to practice law as a day job. Couldn’t see that one coming, could you?!?!
News, Orchestra | Mark December 30, 2009 | 
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