Music can entertain us. Music can bring us to tears. Music can make us exercise longer. Music can make us cheer. Music can help us remember. Studies show that music can even heal.
And music has the power to distract, in a good way.
That's what Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra Concertmaster Zach De Pue was reminded of when he visited Brad Humphrey in the hospital. Brad is a teenager who plays tennis and the violin. Tragically, Brad was one of many severely injured during the Indiana State Fair stage collapse in August. Brad is a fighter: he is in physical therapy to try and walk again. He's also in music therapy.
Zach surprised Brad in his room, and the two began playing the violin together. This was all recorded by our local CBS station, and Brad's story has now spread to many other markets all across the country.
Music helps teen fair victim rebuild: wishtv.com
It was quite symbolic to have Brad and Zach play Beethoven's "Ode to Joy," as Zach used that as an opportunity to tell Brad about other musicians who faced challenges, struggles and even tragedy themselves. Beethoven became deaf. World renowned violinist Itzhak Perlman contracted polio at the age of four. Zach himself lost his mother at age six, and he shared with Brad that music was a good distraction during that tough period in his life.
A distraction. Brad seemed to respond to that.
It was a great honor to meet this young man. On behalf of Zach and the musicians at the Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra, I hope all of our concertgoers feel the power and value of music: for healing, for entertainment, for emotion, for memories and even for distraction. And I hope Brad keeps up the fight -- the ISO will be with him all the way.