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Dianne Hartman, BMEd, LMSW, MAC
Psychotherapist, Addictions Specialist, Composer

About
Dianne Hartman, Composer

About

I have been a practicing clinical social worker for over 30 years and have worked with patients in the psychiatric and substance use disorder units of hospitals, outpatient clinics, and private practice.  I have also worked with the military on various installations in the U.S. and overseas.  It has been very fulfilling as patients have courageously shared  their thoughts. experiences and feelings with me in group and individual settings, working hard to change, with the hope of improving their mental and emotional health.  Of course, their work often results in better physical health as well. 

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The unfortunate part over the years is the overwhelming reports of shame and fear experienced by many patients due to the stigma against people with mental illness.  This stigma too often causes people to hide their symptoms and avoid seeking help, which means the illness progresses.  Even though there have been many attempts to educate the public about the illnesses, the stigma still exists.  Music has been a constant in my life, giving me a voice that, as a child, I thought I did not have.  So, my goal is to use this method that speaks to the heart to fight the stigma against people with mental illness.

 

I am also a musician and composer.  Referring to my compositions The Music of Mental Illness and Addiction, my goal was to portray the emotions experienced during various symptoms of these disorders – the dissonance of pain and anger, the frustration and anguish of anxiety and depression, the relief of finding help, the hope of emotional regulation and stability, and the joy of improved lifestyle. To eliminate stigma, the entire population must eliminate fear and ridicule and replace with understanding, empathy, and acceptance.  This would then open more willingness by those with mental illnesses to seek help.

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Although my newest compositions are related to fighting the stigma, I also compose a variety of music that I connect to healing in general.  We know that music can change one’s mood, so in these times of high anxiety and depression I also have compositions that are for evoking feelings that some find difficult to express (e.g. pain, anger, fear, anxiety, even love) similar to watching a movie that causes one to feel strong emotions.   

Lastly, I also believe in the healing power of humor.  Working in a hospital emergency room in the past, I organized the hospital variety show for several years during which the Emergency Department staff presented my humorous musical skit, “Sing Your Emergency Complaint.”  It was performed three nights and I must say that the Dopamine level was quite high each night.  My composition, My Child, highlights some humor since in the first movement, “Infancy,” I snuck in a tuba solo playing the popular preschool song, Wheels on the Bus Go Round and Round.

 

As was done with the Michigan Philharmonic Symphony Orchestra when they played My Child, I am always willing to do a pre-concert talk about the piece to be played. 

Connection

My Research

Musicians

I have attended observation and orientation at Beth Israel Hospital in New York, where the Louis Armstrong Center for Music and Medicine is also located.   The hospital music therapists have many activities proving how music helps patients improve.  Stroke and Pulmonary patients are members of a chorus by which they improve their lung capacity and speech, while having fun doing it.   

In the NICU, parents can bond with their infants as they work together with the therapist to compose a lullaby using their favorite song but changing the words.   

 

Through the International Association for Music and Medicine  (IAMM) of which I am a member,  I am keeping updated on the work of researchers who continue to find evidence of the healing power of music in both emotional and physical disorders (e.g. Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, Depression, Trauma, etc.).  I will, at times, add an article in this website that presents news about the latest finds. 

Piano Keys
My Music

My music

Please click any selection below to hear (or see)  recordings of full orchestral compositions, and to download the perusal scores.

9:00

Instrumentation:

2.2.2.2 - 2.2.2.1 - timp+3 - strings

My Child  (a suite for orchestra in three movements) illustrates the energy during the infant’s growth through elementary grades.  Adolescence, during which time changes occur physically, cognitively, and emotionally, is portrayed by the orchestra through music dynamics.  The music in Adulthood changes from hesitancy to anxiety to excitement of decision making re the future –

job, school, both?

Music of Mental IllnessDianne Hartman
00:00 / 15:59

In The Music of Mental Illness, a suite in four movements, the first 3 movements illustrate pleasant beginnings followed by occurrence of symptoms of the illnesses that progress as resistance to help continues.  The last movement recalls the illnesses and illustrates a world where mental illness is accepted instead of stigmatized.

AddictionDianne Hartman
00:00 / 07:05

Addiction begins with pleasant beginnings until symptoms begin to show increased use of a substance or unhealthy behaviors.  Denial leads to addiction substitutions and the orchestra uses sound effects to illustrate drug use, alcohol use, and gambling until depression sets in and help is finally sought. 

Rhythms of Happiness Flow 1Dianne Hartman
00:00 / 05:55

Just as each individual defines happiness differently, this piece shows each section of the orchestra in a musical dialogue defining rhythms of happiness through varying genres, ending with an agreed conclusion.

Passive-AggressiveDianne Hartman
00:00 / 04:57

Passive-Aggressive begins with a pleasant melody illustrating a passive-aggressive person happily experiencing a time with no conflict.  But we know our world is not conflict-free.  The music changes rhythms and harmonies as the person tries to maintain a non-bothered appearance during the conflicts, even lamenting to others about life being unfair, portrayed by a violin solo and string section.  Disagreements continue as the orchestra illustrates the internal combustion of anger that grows in intensity.

Opposed to SilenceDianne Hartman
00:00 / 03:46

Ever know a person who talks incessantly and does not seem to know when to stop?  The music in Opposing Silence will do this in this piece – just when you think it will stop, it won’t.  Anxiety sometimes causes one to want to fill the silence with the thought that silence is dangerous. 

Learning to CalmDianne Hartman
00:00 / 04:29

Beginning to learn how to meditate can be frustrating for some as thoughts tend to interrupt the goal of peace.  This music will mimic the thoughts and the repeated use of a mantra to return to the peaceful place gradually increasing the length of meditation time.  

15: 59

Instrumentation:

2.2.2.2 - 3.2.2.1 - timp+4 - strings

7:05 

Instrumentation:

2 (Pic).2.2.2 - ASax - 2.2.2.1 - 4 - strings

6:00
Instrumentation:

2.2.2.2 -3.2.2.1 - timpani + 4 - harp - strings

5:00

Instrumentation:

2.2.2.2 - 3.2.2.1 - timp+4 - strings

3:46
Instrumentation:

2.2.2.2 - 2.2.2.1 - timp +4 - strings

4:28
Instrumentation:

2 (A fl).2.2.2 - 2.2.2.1 - timp+4 - strings

Orchestra Conductor on Stage

Past Performances

July 25, 2023

Sarah Hicks, conductor of the Minnesota Symphony Orchestra, dedicated a concert on July 25, 2023 to the use of music for expression and healing, a decision made due to the increased anxiety and depression since the pandemic.  The audience was led through a guided meditation accompanied by the orchestra, and compositions will be featured that express the anguish as well as the resilience of the population's experience throughout the last three years.  I am excited and honored that one of my pieces was featured in the concert, the first movement of The Music of Mental Illness - Depression Anxiety.  I was excited to attend  and meet Sara Hicks in person.  She is a musician, educator, producer, arranger, writer, speaker, TV host and wellness advocate.

May 19, 2024

“Bringing Healing Through Music” is the mantra for the Detroit Medical Orchestra.   Consisting of health care professionals, the orchestra has recently been named semi-finalist for the American Prize in the Community Orchestra division.  The World Premiere of The Music of Mental Illness (in its entirety) will be performed on May 19, 2024 by the orchestra under the direction of Zeljko Milicevic at the Community Arts Auditorium, which is on the campus of Wayne State University, 5401 Cass Avenue, Detroit MI 48202, at 3:30 PM.

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Full scores available for all compositions.

Please contact me with inquiries.

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