Boy, I could go on about this one for a while!!
I dug the early posts about the 'Old Folks Home', and know that it's true. I periodically drop by and play for a convalescent home...even when I was only six days from receiving open heart surgery! My daughter dropped me off, on her way to her brother's..and I toddled in with oxygen in tow. I've noticed reactions from the 'patients' or should I say 'residents'..and the staff....and I highly recommend ANYONE out there, that if you play, or sing and play, to drop in sometime to your nearest 'Home', and play for them!!! THEY LOVE IT!...and besides, many of them are in those homes, because their families just don't have the time for them...and they LOVE not being forgotten!!!! ...and the emotions they show, to good thoughtful playing, is right there with your best paying audiences'!!..True story!!

As far as music,and what it is, or means to humans....upon release from the hospital, I had to meet with the cardiologist, who performed the operation, who told me, with a bit of wonderment, (exact words), "Your recovery is nothing short of miraculous." In the same conversation, he told me that he had heard my music on YouTube, and that he thought it was VERY healing!...Well, that was 'music to my ears', and I instantly thought of where my head was at, while composing it, and putting it together....so I figured, Aha!..I know what to 'dial into' even closer..which I've done, while recovering at my daughter's.
When I returned for my five week check up and follow-up, with the same cardiologist, I brought with me a stack of CD's, which I gave away to some of the staff, that I had gotten to know, while I was staying there. At present, my music is now being played and used in five different hospitals in four different states, in cardiac-therapy, and several private places that specialize in therapy..including the one I go to, presently, at their request!
I've GIVEN the music free to all those places..not for money, but for wanting to 'put back'....and to do ANYTHING I could to help people heal, and for appreciating the wonderful care that I had received, while staying in the hospital.
So, 'What does music mean to humans?'...well when it seems to have the power to heal, or helping with healing, it must mean a LOT MORE, than we may know.

Ludwig van Beethoven: "The vibrations on the air are the breath of God speaking to man's soul. Music is the language of God. We musicians are as close to God as man can be. We hear his voice, we read his lips, we give birth to the children of God, who sing his praise. That's what musicians are."

"Don't only practice your art, but force your way into its secrets, for it and knowledge can raise men to the divine."
― Ludwig van Beethoven

...and why wouldn't there be healing, considering the source???!!!???
That's why musicians who shortchange themselves, by diverting into earthly forms of politics, or do it for money, or recognition or whatever, may be missing out, on the POWER from what you can communicate, from the source to the listener!!!!!!....and what it can set in motion!!!

Regards,

GfS