The Santa Fe Model: Music, the Brain, Medicine, and Wellness—A Scientific Dialogue Exemplifying Integrative Forums for Critical Topics

Abstract

Construction and development of a conference involving music and medicine has enormous potential on many counts. This has article describes the intention of integrating medical music practices through direct event-conference thinking and through per- formance medium. This is a growing format that has important implications for expanding the role of the arts in health care. The Santa Fe Chamber Music Festival, the University of New Mexico Cancer Center, and Gabrielle’s Angels Foundation for Cancer Research will soon present ‘‘Music, the Brain, Medicine, and Wellness: A Scientific Dialogue.’’ This scientific symposium occurring from August 4 to 6, 2012, in Santa Fe, New Mexico, builds upon the knowledge of the state of the science and its impact of music on the developing brain, cognition, language, memory, and emotion. Music’s capacity to promote healing in patients with serious medical conditions including cancer, neurologic diseases, and developmental disorders as well as its influence on the well-being of individuals and their communities is critical to the expansive thinking in the integration of music and medicine.