wars.” The response to the therapy “led the doctors
and nurses to request the hiring of musicians by the
hospitals.”
It was as if Malorie had been preparing for this
particular field of work all her life. A couple of semesters
of music history gave her a newfound appreciation for
the impact of music on society and culture. “My classes
covered the history of everything from ancient music
to modern day music. It was amazing to see how music
is tied to so many things. I also began to see how each
patient I served would have been shaped by music in a
unique and personal way.”
As a singer, Malorie’s primary instrument was her
voice. In addition to voice classes, she also took guitar,
ukulele, and keyboard and learned to use percussion
instruments like egg shakers and jingles, “which are
useful for drum circles,” she explained. “I took piano
when I was young, so I knew the basics. But the majority
of my piano learning definitely came in college.” The
guitar was an instrument her father had played since he
was a child. “Many of his family members played guitar.
I picked up playing when I was about seventeen. But
24 TOOMBS COUNTY MAGAZINE