Album Notes

Here you will find beautiful music that can touch your soul deeply with an artist’s reach and a surgeon’s skill.

* Find music to relieve pain and anxiety
* Nurture yourself or someone you love
* Use music to visit someone seriously ill
* Bring peace and comfort to those near end of life
* Support an alternative pain treatment
* Be encouraged that you can bring comfort no matter what the situation
* Support professional work with patients and ease dis-ease
* Discover the skills to visit with someone seriously ill
* Create healing environments for yourself or someone for whom you care

RESPITE was created by James Schaller an artist and composer who has explored the world of healing music through his work as a Certified Music Practitioner playing at the bedside of hundreds of patients. James is a a rare combination of artist and healer with clinical experience.

The music from RESPITE can:

-Reduce anxiety which aggravates pain
-Facilitate deep rest
-Distract from pain and complements 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.

RESPITE contains over 50 minutes of music that James plays 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 James play at the bedside 24/7. It is intimate and therapeutically designed to take you into deep rest. This music is particularly well-suited for prayer, meditation and vigils.

SPECIAL BONUS!
Discover how to visit with someone who is seriously ll. Contains helpful tips for conversations and using music to comfort.

MENTORING WORKSHOPS
James facilitates mentoring workshops around the country to encourage clinicians to use therapeutic music to support their work with patients. He is the Executive Director of Sound Covenant, a not-for-profit organization dedicated to bringing live therapeutic music programs to hospices.

“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 music and 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!” --JS

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 healing and recovery.

FOR THOSE OF YOU FACING THE POSSIBLE LOSS OF A LOVED ONE…
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 RESPITE be played continuously for hours at a time as it brought them such relief.

Listen to the samples before you order. You can hear several selections…..but don’t operate any heavy machinery while you listen : - )

"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 work with his patients provides them with grace and courage to face difficult visits with seriously sick loved ones. 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

"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. James' 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

"As soon as your CD arrived my sister, who is a nurse, put on the music. It played continuously for the last three days of my mother¹s life. It dramatically eased her pain, comforted family and staff, and brought dignity and calm to those last days. I can¹t thank you enough."
--JA, Recording Engineer and Music Producer, New York, NY

"You will never know how much your wisdom and inspiration has added to our program. As a health care minister I recommend the inspiration and devotion of James Schaller. His gift for composition, experience and talent allows for healing and transition."
--Rev. Joyce Blair Buekers, Hospice of the Valley