The following article was shared with Mountain Melody, and it perfectly sums up the joy
and benefits of memorization.
The brain can be a tricky fellow, but it really is amazing how memorization works.
When you least expect it, the words and music can just come out of your mouth when you need it most.
And need it we do — performances are coming up next week!
So keep on memorizing!

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Studies prove that the more the brain is exercised, the stronger it gets. According to neurologist Richard M. Restak, author of Mozart’s Brain and the Fighter Pilot, ” unlike other organs that eventually wear out with repeated and sustained use, the brain actually improves the more we challenge it….The more we exercise it, the better it performs and the better we feel.”

Another practical reason: it’s good for your heart. The March 2003 issue of GreatLife Magazine, referring to a recent article in the International Journal of Cardiology, extolled the effects reciting poetry has on your heart. “These two scientists found that the stress-releasing effect of guided recitation of poetry could lead to deep heart relaxation afterward….after reciting poetry (for half and hour), participants’ heart rates slowed to match their breathing rates in ‘harmonic interaction.'”

Finally, if those very encouraging studies aren’t good enough for you, here’s this: memorizing poetry proves to you that you can accomplish something complicated. Recognizing that about yourself is no small potatoes. It’s my answer to those who roll their eyes when considering algebra, saying (all together now) “I’ll never use this when I grow up. What’s the point?” The point is this: while I understand (I’m not a fan of algebra), proving to yourself that you can solve a difficult problem is superb for your self-esteem. Afterwards you can look at those equations and (a) remember when you didn’t understand and (b) know the pride you have in yourself is well-deserved.

But if memorizing poetry were only good for me—if that’s all it was, if it were like taking those dreary vitamins every morning—I’d have stopped long before now.

To be honest with you, it’s amazing. It’s—I have no other word for it—magic.
I struggle for days with a stanza or a couple of lines, and then suddenly I wake up and they’re there. They’re in me. When they’re called, they come.

And I like knowing these poems. I like hearing their sounds in my mouth. I like knowing I can do this, can memorize them, and that I have them in my head ready to come out. In spite of it being good for my heart and my brain, memorizing these poems so I can recite them is utter pleasure—hedonistic and sensual, pure and simple.

Susan Rushton — Author and Reporter @ Large
(And Julie’s sister)

Before Bill and I moved to Mountain Ranch, I sang with Peninsula Women’s Chorus in Palo Alto for many years. Even after moving to Mountain Ranch I continued to commute weekly for rehearsal and of course performances. PWC traveled internationally to perform in competitions and festivals. It was a fabulous experience. I finally got tired of commuting, what with work, husband, and full life in the foothills. I looked and listened to many local choirs and, frankly, didn’t find one that suited me. As a nurse, I had the opportunity to work with Marta (another nurse), who casually said she sang with a few women around the piano now and then. She asked if I would be interested in directing them in singing as a group. ‘What the heck’, I thought. And so, we had our first ‘rehearsal’ at our house in the fall of 2005. And Mountain Melody was born.

My husband, Bill, had asked me a few years before if I would want to start my own chorus, and I was horrified at the idea. I don’t conduct, I sing. The more I thought about it, and as situations changed, when Marta asked, it seemed to fit. I guess I ‘grew’ into the idea. As a member of Peninsula Women’s Chorus I had the amazing opportunity to have Patricia Hennings and Martin Benvenuto as artistic directors. I was like a sponge, paying attention, figuring out how they were able to communicate through gesture their interpretation of song. It was like having a voice lesson every week. I loved it, learned lots and sang amazing songs.

I have become a member of ACDA, American Choral Directors Association which has afforded me the opportunity to attend conductor workshops and nationally and internationally acclaimed directors and composers. As we know, learning never stops.

PWC is my heart choir and now I have my new mountain heart chorus in Mountain Melody. The women who sing in MM are talented, dedicated and extremely hard-working. Most of us are working women, mostly not spring chickens, though we have a few young women. We work at ‘day jobs’ and arrive for weekly rehearsal tired, and we leave rehearsal tired but exhilarated. This is what it takes to be good at what we do.

In the future, I would love for Mountain Melody to travel to festivals. Actually, we have participated in the Foothills Choral Festival and, if I do say so myself, we quite impressed the audience. It would be lovely to travel further afield sharing our music.

Julia S., Choir Director and Fearless Leader

I missed singing in choir, like I did when I was in high school at Lodi High in Lodi.

After all these many years, I had heard of Mountain Melody and had seen them perform and was thinking about joining, but never had the nerve (auditions!) But I finally got the nerve up, and did it, and have had so much fun meeting everyone and singing. Even when I’m tired and sore, I go home feeling rejuvenated and happy. Music has always made me happy and it’s wonderful to be singing again after 33 years of not singing. I don’t know what else I can say other than it is FUN!
 
Diana C., Member since 2012

I sang in choral groups in high school and college, then informally with friends over the years, but really missed the experience of singing in a choir. I love being in the “surround sound” of a group singing various parts and adding my own voice to the mix. It’s a magical experience. I heard about Mountain Melody and loved the idea of an all women’s choral group, and it was within driving distance here in the mountains. I hate and love that we memorize the music – it pushes my envelope in a good way. I have loved making new life long friends I would have never met except for this group. I appreciate that we are expected to work hard. And I appreciate that we make a beautiful sound that brings joy to others.

Wendy H., Member since 2009

I was one of five siblings growing up in a family that sang songs every time we were in the car. I always held the melody as some of my sisters and brothers were more musically inclined.

When I joined the original nine members of Mountain Melody I was just in it for the fun. Little did I know that I would be a Soprano 2, not singing the melody for most songs and that we would be memorizing and performing our music. It is fun, but oh so challenging at times. The rewards of memorization are an unexpected bonus.

I love singing with the delightful musically talented women. They have helped bring me along an unexpected path of singing. After 10 years with the choir, I am beginning to hold my own and can even sing harmonies with my family.

I thank MM for reducing the number of crossword puzzles and Sudoku I need to do to keep my brain cells firing.

At our first performance I opened my mouth and nothing came out. I had never intended to sing in a performing choir. I now love it. I can’t stop smiling when we sing together at our concerts.

Carol M., Member since 2005

In May of 2013, my husband and I bought a little house in Mountain Ranch. We were pretty familiar with the Murphys area in Calaveras County, but didn’t know much about Mountain Ranch. A neighbor had invited me to an event at the Resource Center, and after a day of house painting, I went down there to check it out.

I met several of my neighbors, including Julie and Bill who I found out lived right across the street. While we were chatting, Julie asked me, “do you sing?” And I said “yeah.”

Then she told me about her group, Mountain Melody, and invited me to come hear them sing at Mountain Ranch’s Day In The Park. I did, and I liked the group, and I decided to try out for it. I remember coming to my first rehearsal, and I was late, as I was driving up from the Bay Area, and of course there was traffic. When I got to the music room, I tried to sneak in and grab a seat, but everyone cheered for me, which was quite a nice welcome! I have really been enjoying the experience of singing with a choral group, as I really hadn’t done it much before. It’s so gratifying to learn new music, memorize it, and perform it. It’s a wonderful group, and I am thrilled to be a part of it!

Tari T., member since 2013

I moved to Calaveras county in 2013 knowing no one other than my wonderful, new husband. When I caught a nasty cold I went to the prompt care in Angels Camp. The physician on call was a woman about my age, and she asked about my hobbies and when I shared that I had been a member of a singing group in the valley she immediately told me about Mountain Melody. She told me about their spring concert in San Andreas, within a few weeks, and recommended I go take a “look see”. I did just that and I was blown away with what I heard. I could not believe the wonderful blending of voices and quality. I did not know if my voice would fit in or if I was indeed qualified to be a member, but I called Julie and did an audition. The rest is history I guess. But the thing that has become clear to me… it is not just the music that this group is about…it is about the wonderful people who do the singing…this group of ladies have welcomed me with open hearts and hands. I am privileged to know them and so blessed to join my voice with the lovely, melodious voices in this choir.

Rene F. Member since 2013

The summer of 2007 a garden tour was offered to anyone interested in gardening, or in my case, becoming more familiar with Mountain Ranch’s surrounding areas. A luncheon, to be held in the Mountain Ranch Community Hall, was also offered. Wonderful. I sent in my money and received a tour map. The tour was to be on Sunday; on Saturday I made a dry run to familiarize myself with the routes to the gardens being shown. All went well, and the next day I set out for the real thing. I thought I was on my way to the fourth garden, when I realized with a jolt that I had somehow gotten twisted up and was on Whiskey Slide Road heading right down to Mountain Ranch. Well, I decided that since it was lunch time I’d go straight to the Hall to eat. Lunch was fine, and there was an added attraction: a small group of women from Mountain Melody were there to sing for us. Their outfits looked to me like dyed potato sacks, BUT once they began singing I was hooked — by their spirit, blend, and the joy they expressed through their music. What started out as a wrong turn brought me to this wonderful group and I have been a member ever since. It was truly meant to be.

Grace M., Member since 2007

I first discovered Mountain Melody 6 months after we moved to Calaveras and was drawn to it immediately for 3 reasons:

1. – love and respect for the gal who introduced me to it, Grace
2. – the chorus is not affiliated with any church or religion
3. – it’s an all women’s chorus and I was missing being in community with a group of gals

It was everything I hoped it would be and more. It nourished parts of my soul that needed it badly and helped me accomplish a personal goal to get my voice back by singing regularly and learning new material consistently.

In my second season I became pregnant and wow, what a gift! My little girl grew inside the womb surrounded by a beautiful chorus of voices and music. I was also fortunate to be able to sing a solo by one of my all-time favorite artists during that season: Respect by Otis Redding. What a hoot to be fully pregnant and get to sing about that stuff!

My daughter, Cordelia was born on July 16, 2014 conveniently between sessions. The choir has been kind enough to accommodate me bringing her to practice so I can continue breastfeeding and continue singing and affectionately call her “the littlest member.” Cordelia just loves it and as a result has spent her whole life on this planet so far surrounded by music and boasts 20+ extra aunties! 

I am forever grateful for the love, support, and friendship being a part of the chorus has provided me. The community of women is just extraordinary- an eclectic variety of talent with such kindness toward each other and our greater community and such passion for music.

Yebuny J., Member since 2013

In February 2014, I moved to Mountain Ranch and I met our neighbors Bill & Julie. After conversing for a while, Julie asked me if I sang and my husband answered yes! Next thing I know, I’m going to practice with Julie to listen. I was in awe when I heard the group sing! I wasn’t able to audition for Mountain Melody until September of that year but am oh so glad I did! What a fabulous group of women with beautiful voices! Cudos to Julie for bringing them all together!

Vicki W., Member since 2014