Thank you for opening my eyes through the sharing of your research and talent. . As a result of the inspiration and direction that you provide, our organization will begin utilizing music as a modality to relieve suffering and provide comfort to our patients.”

Dr. Ron Hartsfield, Medical Director, Wiregrass Hospice, Dothan, AL

RESPITE

Solo Guitar - James Schaller

LISTEN

BUY CD at CD BABY $16.99

BUY MP3 at CD BABY $9.99

BUY MP3 at iTunes $9.99

Beautiful, intimate and therapeutically designed to take you into deep rest. This music is also well-suited for prayer, meditation and vigils. Includes tips on how to visit and comfort those who are seriously ill.

"In this exquisite solo guitar CD, artist, Certified Music Practitioner,
and healer, James Schaller offers sensitive original musical offerings that touch the heart and nourish the soul. Schaller's healing music at times has a Neo-Renaissance feel that evokes a more peaceful time. While designed for hospital and hospice settings, this music can be enjoyed by anyone as the beautiful and lyrical music it is."

- New Paradigm Digest

YOU COULDN’T DRAG ME INTO A HOSPITAL………

It was 1996 and I hadn’t been to a hospital since I had my tonsils out when I was five. Often I had passed on opportunities to visit with a sick friend or relative because I was repulsed by the thought of going to a hospital……….yes I had some guilt around this issue.

I was on the sofa reading a magazine article at about 11:00PM. The story was a feature on the Chalice of Repose Project. I’m reading about musicians who take their instruments into some of the most difficult emotional end of life situations several times a day……day after day.

Their stories were heartrending. BUT the music was so effective at reducing pain and anxiety in patients, staff and family members that over 70 doctors were writing prescriptions for music visits for their hospice patients! The visits were so effective that they were reimbursable under health insurance.

For adult patients, "half of an hour of music produces the same effect as ten milligrams of Valium", says Dr. Raymond Bahr, head of the Coronary Care Unit at Baltimore's St. Agnes Hospital

A CALL ON MY LIFE!

As I’m reading these stories the hair on my arms is standing up and my heart is aching with new, unfamiliar feelings. I feel excitement, energy and…..FEAR. Why? Because there are two thoughts going on in my head simultaneously. 1. HOW CAN ANYBODY DO THIS TYPE OF WORK? 2. I’M GOING TO DO THIS WORK!!

Well there comes a few times in your life when you feel the hand of GOD (the Universe, Higher Power or Your Choice) strongly on your shoulder and you better pay attention. I swallowed hard as I received my ‘marching orders’. Those ‘orders’ were to track down every person around the country who did this work, learn how music affected our physiology, and find out what kind of music could possibly be effective in such situations. I HAD TO LEARN HOW TO DO THIS!!

Fast forward 6 months…..I’m obsessed. I’ve read books, interviewed those who would speak with me, dug deeply and now I’m anxiously awaiting the beginning of my formal training as a Music Practitioner. Then Carl dies.

Carl was a dear elderly friend who was taken to a residential care nursing home with advance pneumonia and pleurisy. I know I’ve got to go, yet I have no training….and I don’t know WHAT KIND OF MUSIC WILL WORK! Carl's health is declining and I can no longer postpone my visit. I take my guitar and I’m walking up to the door of the nursing home. A cluster of folks in wheelchairs is on the porch. Some of them are in bad shape. One lady is drooling a trickle of blood from the corner of her mouth….my confidence was shaken. I walk in.

This is not the type of home I want to spend my last days. I’m directed towards Carl’s room. I enter and see Carl with his face frozen in fear. The other patient sharing the room is arguing angrily with his wife who is visiting. And a staff person is loudly wrestling with a large metal trash can.

As I draw close to Carl’s bed he sees my guitar and a smile breaks over his drawn, grey face. Carl loved music. We exchange greetings and I begin to play.

I prayed for insight and inspiration, and I spontaniously began to play simple music that was restful and calming. The transformation on Carl’s face was amazing. He relaxed; his breathing became slower and restful. He smiled and would make an occasional comment. I kept playing. The staff became quiet, the argument next to us subsided as the patient fell asleep and the visitor left.

Carl and I spent a treasured hour together. When I left he was drifting towards a peaceful sleep gently breathing with a radiant smile on his face.

Carl passed away a few days later. I was forever changed. I had witnessed first hand the power of music to completely change a loud, disruptive, fear-charged atmosphere into an environment for healing, peace and comfort.

RESPITE contains over 50 minutes of music that I play for patients who are very ill and in need of deep rest. The music will bring great comfort and dignity to stressful situations. This recording is like having me play at the bedside 24/7. It is intimate and therapeutically designed to take you into deep rest. This music is also well-suited for prayer, meditation and vigils. It is an excellent supporting alternative pain treatment and creates a therapeutic environrment that comforts.

LISTEN

BUY CD at CD BABY $16.99

BUY MP3 at CD BABY $9.99

BUY MP3 at iTunes $9.99

“It is embarrassing to admit that I was so blind to the benefits that music can provide in end-of-life situations. Thank you James for opening my eyes through the sharing of your research and talent. We were enlightened and entertained by your presentation. As a result of the inspiration and direction that you provide, our hospice organization will begin utilizing music as a modality to relieve suffering and provide comfort to our patients.”

Dr. Ron Hartsfield, Medical Director, Wiregrass Hospice, Dothan, AL

At a trade show several nurses were listening on headphones and smiling with their eyes closed. Suddenly one of the nurse’s eyes opened quickly and she took off the headphones. "Is it OK if we listen to this music and we’re NOT sick?” she asked. I laughed and said, “Sure you can listen whenever you need to relax…..even when you’re balancing your check book!” Therapeutic music is among the most effective of relaxation techniques for stress management

The music from RESPITE can:

Reduce anxiety which aggravates pain
Facilitate deep rest
Distract from pain and complement other pain treatments
Elevate the immune system
Lower and stabilize blood pressure
Lower the breath and heart rate for better rest
Soothe and comfort your mind and nurture your spirit

RESPITE features music with no steady rhythm and helps draw the listener into a very deep rest. It is recorded with solo guitar; there are no synthesizers ‘swooshing’ and no chimes, bowls, chanting, vibrating etc.

WILL I BE CURED?

Curing is a return to a state that existed before disease. Healing means to bring comfort to a situation and comes from the root word hal which means to be made whole or ‘sound’. The music from RESPITE has provided healing to many, many patients and their families. Deep rest and release from anxiety can be solid steps toward recovery.

FOR THOSE OF YOU FACING THE POSSIBLE LOSS OF A LOVED ONE…

Are you involved with senior care giving? I’ve had family members write letters to the hospice after a loved one has passed stating that the Music Practitioner visits made a tremendous positive contribution to their loved one’s last days and the music facilitated healing between family members and the patient.

Often someone will write to say that their loved one or patient requested that the CD be played continuously for hours at a time as it brought them such relief.

Our patients and families have found James' music to be beautiful and serene. Our staff also found his music to be soothing and relaxing for the entire atmosphere at the Residence. His music has been a welcomed addition to our scope of hospice care we are able to provide to our patients and their families.

Susan Resavy, MSW, Director of Family Services, Hospice of Central PA