Music and the Mind with Bob Troeger

November 25, 2025
12:00pm - 1:00pm

Wheeling concert organist, composer and conductor Robert Troeger will present and offer highlights of a new book that brings together various disciplines in a discussion of music as a form of therapy, health and life-enhancement.  LUNCH WITH BOOKS, Tuesday, November 25.

American opera diva Renée Fleming's book, Music and Mind: Harnessing the Arts for Health and Wellness, is a highly praised and comprehensive anthology that explores the powerful intersection of art, science, and human well-being. The book is a collection of forty-one essays from a diverse range of contributors, including neuroscientists, physicians, renowned artists like Yo-Yo Ma and Sting, and educators, all curated by Fleming based on her extensive advocacy work in the field of neuroarts.

Key Themes and Content: Therapeutic Applications: A major focus is on the clinical and therapeutic benefits of music and the arts for a wide array of conditions. This includes using rhythm to improve mobility for Parkinson's patients, singing for speech recovery after a stroke, and using arts therapies to help with dementia, PTSD, anxiety, and depression.

Brain Function and Development: The essays delve into how music engages the brain, from its role in childhood development and language acquisition to its potential for healthy aging. The book highlights how new brain imaging technology has enabled this field of study, supported by institutions like the National Institutes of Health.

Human Connection and Well-being: The book makes a compelling case for music as a "meta language" that fosters social cohesion and emotional well-being, helping to combat modern issues like loneliness and isolation.

Accessibility and Policy: Fleming emphasizes that the arts are a cost-effective, non-pharmaceutical, and non-invasive approach to health, advocating for the integration of arts programs into healthcare and education systems.

Critics and readers have warmly received the book, describing it as a "must-read" and a "groundbreaking" introduction to an exciting new field.

Publishers Weekly calls it a "stimulating anthology" that thoughtfully bridges the gap between scientific research and integrative health practices.

Overall, Music and Mind is a powerful and thought-provoking volume that successfully makes the case for music and the arts as essential components of physical, mental, and social health. Fleming, acting as an enthusiastic and knowledgeable advocate, has curated a collection that is both informative and inspiring, resonating deeply with readers from all walks of life.

Troeger has served as professor adjunct in fine arts at Wheeling University since 1997.   Additionally, he coordinates music in the chapel life at W.U.  A graduate of Carnegie Mellon University, the Cleveland Institute of Music and Yale University he has made his home in Wheeling since 1989 with his wife Deborah and two sons. In the summer of 2024 he met and spoke with Ms Fleming about her book during her brief residency at Chautauqua Institution.