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Professor
Harvey Promotes the Healing Power of Music
by
Kristen Cabral, External Affairs and University Relations
Arthur Harvey, an assistant professor of
music and coordinator of music education, lives out his commitment to service
and his passion for studying the healing power of music and its effect on the
brain. Besides teaching on the UH Manoa campus, he plays piano and sings weekly
for long-term patients at Le‘ahi Hospital. He speaks to the American Cancer
Society, National Alliance for Mental Illness and other organizations. He serves
as director of music and worship at Calvary by the Sea Lutheran Church in Honolulu.
In all these venues, Harvey shares his research on the effect of music on the
brain. "I have always been very interested in figuring out why music affects
people so powerfully," he explains. He has published extensively on the
therapeutic powers of music, the benefits of music in working with special needs
students and the use of music to improve and increase learning capabilities.
His book, Learn with the Classics:Using Music to Study Smart at Any Age,
and accompanying music CD offer tools and techniques for improving learning
skills.
Music can stimulate various parts of the brain, providing stress relief, lowering
blood pressure and affecting moods, Harvey says. Music provides distraction
from discomfort during childbirth and eases pain after surgery. It produces
a positive impact on patients with severe ailments, including seizures, Parkinson’s
disease and schizophrenia. Music also appears to have a significant impact on
development of the human brain and intelligence, he adds. It has been shown
to enhance students’ cognitive development, critical-thinking skills, problem-solving
abilities and communication and social skills.
Music has always been a major influence in Harvey’s life. He graduated
from high school at age 15 and college at 19. He plays more than 30 instruments,
including the piano, organ, trombone, euphonium and trumpet—"not all
of them equally well," he admits. A great-grandfather, he pursues the power
of music "outside the borders of traditional music education." Service
in this area is his greatest passion, he says. "It’s the unique contribution
I’ve made to the state and the university."
Recent
Appointments and Honors
Manoa
Professor of Music Byron Yasui serves
on the ‘Ukulele Hall of Fame Museum Board of Advisors.
Hilo
Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs Keith Miser
was
selected to receive the 2003 Pillar of the Profession Award from the National
Association of Student Personnel Administrators for lifetime contributions to
the profession.
Manoa
Professor Chris Iijima was
elected to the National Board of Governors of the Society of American Law Teachers.
Manoa
Professor of Economics Byron Gangnes was
appointed to the editorial board of the journal Economic Modeling.
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