Music can heal people, or at least make what they're going through a little less tough.
Just ask Tyler Sparkman, president of Music and Memory, a group that provides iPods and playlists to Alzheimer’s and dementia patients in two local nursing homes.
Through Music and Memory, Sparkman met a woman in the later stages of dementia who hadn’t said a word in years. After working with her for 45 minutes, Sparkman asked her if she liked the music and she nodded and said yes.
“I’ll always remember that," he said. "To reach through to somebody who hasn’t said anything in years, to finally get her to say one word was truly amazing."
In order to raise money to buy iPods and journals for the patients in nursing homes, Music and Memory will be hosting their third annual "A Night to Remember" show at 7 p.m. on Nov. 11 at Pruis Hall.
President Tyler Sparkman, a junior sales and promotion telecommunications major, has been involved with the organization since it was started by Michael Gerhard three years ago and has served as president every year.
“I decided I wanted to really step up and lead a team of really altruistic people. I felt like when we started out we really needed a leader, and I wanted to be that leader,” Sparkman said. “This year I’m the director of the entire show and will be emceeing, but [the group] works together to do the show.”
The show will feature dance, comedy and a capella groups, including Outlet, the winner of this year’s Air Jam. ABSO Improv, an improv comedy group, has performed at the show each year, and they plan to play a series of improv games with the audience.
“We always love to perform and if we can do it for a good cause like this one, it makes it even sweeter,” said Russell Stewart, ABSO president.
Ivory West, a sophomore organization communications major, has been a singer-songwriter since age 12 and will be the headlining act. West got involved with Music and Memory last year as a member and “fell in love with the cause that they represent and the people in the group.”
Due to her job, West can no longer be a member but she wanted to stay a part of what the group did. So she decided to be a performer.
“I really want to help out any way I can,” West said. “It’s a different atmosphere than the things I normally do and the energy of the night is really cool.”
One of West’s favorite memories was working with a resident named Betty who is from the same area West is from.
“Learning about someone that you wouldn’t otherwise and seeing how much you have in common was really neat,” she said.
Aaron Chasteen, activity director at Bethel Pointe nursing home, said Music and Memory has assigned iPods and journals for ten residents in the Alzheimer’s unit.
“When a Ball State student puts on the music, it’s like entering another world [for the resident],” Chasteen said. “Our staff can access the drawer containing the iPods and journals at any time and sometimes music is used instead of sedative if a resident is agitated.”
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