Elevated Soundscapes: Music in Service

Instruments and frequency based tools have been utilized for thousands of years to support people in celebration, ceremony, ritual, communication, healing, meditation, and prayer. To this day every religion and remaining indigenous society utilizes music in it’s varying forms as a foundational element of community and connection. In fact, research shows us that repetitive drumming, communal singing, the reciting of mantra, and even listening to Mozart can profoundly impact us in many ways including the state of our nervous system, our blood pressure, our physiology, and even our state of consciousness. That being said, Elevated Soundscapes are not therapeutic interventions, but serve more as vehicles from which those listening can work with a specific intention. In order to provide a bit more context on the role of intention in our work and healing in general we would like to introduce Dr. Wayne Jonas.

Dr. Jonas is the President of the Healing Works Foundation, a not for profit organization dedicated to the integration of healing and curing in routine health care delivery. He has dedicated his life to the investigation of the bodies inherent ability to heal and a phenomenon he refers to as the “meaning response”, better known as the “placebo effect”.

In the early 2010s Dr. Jonas compiled a list of studies demonstrating the “meaning response”. These studies, all of which meet the highest standards of research, show among other things that medication color, medication cost, and the prescriber’s confidence and tone significantly impact patient outcomes. A clear and strong correlation between patient belief/confidence in a treatment and the outcomes of that treatment is evident.

With Dr. Jonas’ work in mind, we create Elevated Soundscapes that are both sonically engaging and empowering for listeners. Through the use of guided visualization techniques our soundscapes support people in identifying a specific intention opening up a new possibility and new meaning for how their treatment or the treatment of a loved one can serve them on their healing path. And having shared our sounds with thousands of people we can say with great certainty that taking time to sit, listen, and breathe with intention supports in the relaxation of the body, rejuvenation of will, and overall peace of mind.

We would love to speak with you more on how we may be of service to those you serve,

Jay + Sam

Sample Soundscapes

Jay Taylor - Sound Meditation Facilitator, Teacher, Artist

Over the past 5 years Jay has facilitated nearly 2,000 meditation experiences in a diversity of spaces including Ascension Saint Joseph Hospital, Laurie Children’s Hospital, Northwestern Memorial Hospital, Swedish Covenant Hospital, Gildas Club, Women’s Treatment Center, University of Chicago, Northwestern Law School, Kellogg School of Management, Chicago Botanic Gardens, and many others. Jay’s mission is to reduce barriers of entry to meditation through the utilization of instruments such as crystal bowls, gongs, chimes, bells, rattles, flutes, drums, and synthesizers. He is also the founder of the Ahimsa School of Sound Healing where he teaches about the science of sound and retails instruments.

Sam Thousand - Multi-Instrumentalist, Singer/Writer, Producer/Composer

From maintaining years of performance residencies, curating special events throughout the city, and serving as a booking manager at multiple venues and spaces, Sam has become a fixture in Chicago’s performing arts scene. Since picking up the trumpet at age 7, Sam’s artistry has allowed him the opportunity to perform in all corners of North America as well as overseas. His 15+ years of experience in live performance art, curation, and self management was recently acknowledged through the receipt of a 3Arts award.