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Leah Wise: A Gift of Music
Why are the dulcet tones of the harp so soothing? Why do we associate the instrument with heavenly realms?
Leah Wise, a harpist and senior administrative assistant in the USI President's Office, said, "The harp is an intriguing instrument because it's so old. It's an ancient instrument and has a lot of collective unconscious connotations. People usually feel an immediate connection to it."
Wise, who volunteers her talents by playing for terminally ill patients with Deaconess Hospice Care, sees first-hand the effect her music has on patients and their families. She's played in their homes, at the hospital, and in nursing homes, where her music reduces listeners' stress and lowers their blood pressure.
"I've never had a negative reaction, and all of the clients I have played for have been appreciative. It's always been rewarding and positive. When I play at the Deaconess Hospice Care Center, the nurses tell me how much they appreciate me coming in and playing for the patients and the families. It benefits everybody. I may be playing for one person, but everyone on the unit can hear it and it affects everybody."
Wise played for one terminally ill patient up until the woman's death, and then – at the woman's request - played at her funeral. "That was a moving experience. I had worked with her for four months, and she died a few days before Christmas. When she was getting sicker, she told me her favorite Christmas carol was 'Silent Night,' so I worked up an arrangement especially for her and played it at the church service.
"That was the first time I'd followed somebody from the beginning of their illness to the very end, and it was humbling."
It takes a special type of person to volunteer with hospice, Wise said. "Not everybody can do it or wants to do it. You have to be able to deal with grief, and there is grief work when you lose a patient."
She is currently on leave from the program, but plans to return. "It can be emotionally draining, and you do have to learn how to distance yourself somewhat. You have to take breaks, and the hospice volunteer coordinator understands that."
She also volunteers with a group of harpists that plays at St. Mary's Medical Center every other week. "People appreciate the addition of music into the environment. We get a lot of compliments. We always have several people thank us and tell us how beautiful it is and how much they appreciate it."
Wise has been playing the harp for five years. "Learning the harp when you're middle aged, with the hand and eye coordination required, is a lot more difficult than if you start when you're a kid. But I've stuck with it and met some wonderful people in the process."
She will perform with the Tri-State Harp Ensemble for a "brown bag" holiday concert at noon Wednesday, December 2, at the Bower-Suhrheinrich Foundation Gallery in Innovation Pointe, 318 Main Street in downtown Evansville. The concert is free and open to the public.
Playing for the public, Wise said, "is kind of like giving a little gift."
Wendy Bredhold
News & Information Services
812/461-5259
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