Professional harpist, Sally Fletcher, receives many anecdotal stories from her listeners about the emotional benefits of her harp renditions of familiar hymns. Because participation in Christian religious services increases during Easter, Fletcher suggests that the heightened spiritual experience be extended by enjoying recordings of favorite hymns throughout the year.
San Rafael, CA (
PRWEB) March 27, 2007 -- Sally Fletcher, a professional harpist and author on the healing power of music, receives a steady flow of anecdotal stories from her listeners about the comforting and emotional benefits of her harp renditions of familiar hymns. Because participation in Christian religious services increases during Easter, Fletcher suggests that the heightened spiritual experience be extended by enjoying recordings of favorite hymns throughout the year. Studies have shown the strong emotional effects of music on religious experience, including one published in the Psychology of Music, by researchers at the University of Canterbury in New Zealand.
There is even evidence that participation in religious services extends life expectancy. The American Journal of Public Health published a research study in 1997 that reported that persons who regularly attended religious services had mortality rates that were 25% lower than those who attended infrequently. Listening to recordings of favorite hymns offers an opportunity to bring the emotional and health benefits of the religious experience into other environments in one's daily life, because of the strong connection between the favorite hymns and the religious services.
People who attend Fletcher's harp performances and listen to her CDs often comment that her music emanates warmth, beauty, and healing. She explains that, "your favorite music makes you feel good and gives you positive energy. You can control some of this energy by your choice of music, your companions and your thoughts." She is especially pleased that one of her most popular CDs is "Hymns for Healing," a selection of favorite Christian hymns, including "Amazing Grace," "How Great Thou Art," "In the Garden," and many others, all performed on the harp.
Sally Fletcher is a professional harpist and author of The Challenge of Epilepsy on her personal experiences with the healing power of music. She knows what it is like to be diagnosed with a supposedly incurable disorder. However, she has been seizure-free with no medication for 18 years, and is an advocate and inspirational speaker on the subject of music therapy to aid healing and promote well-being. Sally is available as a harpist for weddings, festivals, private parties, religious gatherings, special occasions, and corporate events in Northern California, including the San Francisco Bay Area and Napa Valley Wine Country. As an experienced, professional musician, she is widely sought after for performances that can cover a broad selection of musical styles, all played on the harp. Her repertoire includes Classical, Popular, Show Tunes, Folk Music, Celtic, Improvisation, Religious and Inspirational. She enjoys playing the best music from every style, adding her own interpretation. A listing of recorded CDs and more information is available at
www.heavenlyharpist.com.
