Reviews & Press

 

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PLEASE CONTACT US AT: orchestratingdoc@gmail.com





Winner of the 2021 Austen Riggs Erikson Prize for Excellence in Mental Health Media.
https://www.austenriggs.org/press-release/orchestrating-change-named-2021-austen-riggs-erikson-prize-recipient

Watch an interview with Ronald Braunstein and Caroline Whiddon on WGBH's Greater Boston about Me2/Orchestra and ORCHESTRATING CHANGE:
https://www.wgbh.org/news/local-news/2019/10/15/combating-the-stigma-against-mental-illness-through-the-power-of-music

Read about Me2/Orchestra and ORCHESTRATING CHANGE

"The screening event of Orchestrating Change was one of the best things that I have been a part of since beginning my work with the schizophrenia-recovery movement in 1995. Your heart will be touched by the stories of human resiliency through the sound of music."

Dr. Chris Summerville
CEO of the Schizophrenia Society of Canada

"We were privileged to be able to partner with the Orchestrating Change filmmakers on a week-long mental health series which included a screening of the film, a panel discussion, and a special concert with our local symphony orchestra. The Me/2 musicians shared their stories in such a powerful way. The film is a wonderful tool to raise awareness and fight stigma. Highly recommended!"

Wendy Giebink
Executive Director, NAMI South Dakota

"To the performers in the Me2/Orchestra, Mr. Braunstein is much more than a conductor. He's a friend and a mentor, as well as a living example of what can happen when a person with mental illness is accepted unconditionally and treated with dignity and respect."

Jane E. Brody
Personal Health Columnist, The New York Times

"Margie and Barbara made a profoundly resonant connection with Ronald Braunstein, the gifted conductor whose career trajectory was disrupted by his bipolar disorder. This film is a beautifully told, heartwarming story that gives us all hope, at the deepest human level, for our future as a loving, connected species."

Jamie Bernstein, Author, Daughter of Leonard Bernstein

"There are some things in life that you just can’t fake. Making great music and true compassion are at the core of this extraordinary film. Mental illness is no longer remote; mental health is not merely an aspiration. Orchestrating Change is a signpost for love, talent and the gift of making a community."

Sean Astin, Actor, Director, Mental Health Advocate

"Orchestrating Change is a superb portrayal of the tremendous impact that finding a purpose through music can have on those whose lives are affected by mental illness."

Curly L. Bonds, MD
Chief Medical Officer
Los Angeles County Department of Mental Health

"Little did I know I would watch one of the most enlightening and moving documentaries I have ever seen: Orchestrating Change. What a beautiful, life-affirming, joyful film! I was tearful on and off throughout."

PBS Viewer

"A beautiful and captivating story of how music can change hearts and minds, create purpose and deliver hope for all those it touches. Such an inspiring film!"

Nina Richtman
Deputy Director, NAMI Iowa

"Orchestrating Change is a passionate documentary overflowing with neurodivergent joy, struggle, integrity, and hope. Rather than rely on clichéd narratives of music as panacea, this nuanced film destigmatizes mental illness and amplifies humanity in all of its chromatic wonder. To hear these radiant musicians perform together is to hear the sounds of empathy, love, and social justice at play."

William Cheng
Chair of the Department of Music (Dartmouth College) and Coeditor of the Music & Social Justice Series (University of Michigan Press)

"This film has it all, an authentic look into what it means to live with mental illness, the vital importance of community, meaningful work and interactions, and the exceptional potential that exists in each of us. I recommend this film to anyone who seeks a series of beautiful stories with an outstanding ending; leaving us wanting know what happens next!"

Jill Wiedermann-West
CEO, People Incorporated, Mental Health Services

"I can easily imagine referring newly diagnosed patients to something like this and saying this is a movie that is a wonderful portrayal of the bad but especially of the good…and I can easily imagine using this as a tool to educate patients or families about what can be accomplished despite these kinds of struggles."

David Jones, M.D., Ph.D
Harvard University

"Orchestrating Change is a perfect introduction to a very important project. Ronald Braunstein's vision of creating an ensemble for people learning to live creatively with their mental health, playing music alongside those who work with them, is captured clearly and presented inspiringly. Music is such a powerful art form, and is here employed for positive change in those who participate in its making as well as those who listen. We are challenged in this film to change our minds in order to change our world, viewing one another with insight and deeper compassion."

Delta David Grier
Music Director, South Dakota Symphony

"As the Chair of the New Hampshire Protection and Advocacy for Individuals with Mental Illness (PAIMI) Council, I am always looking for ways to share stories about people who live successfully with serious and persistent mental illness. Organizing a virtual screening of Orchestrating Change not only helped me achieve that goal, but the documentary also helped to destigmatize SPMI and showcase the happiness those living with SPMI can achieve. As the mother of a son with schizoaffective disorder, I am beyond thankful for the hopeful message this movie provides."

Dellie Champagne Chair, PAIMI

"Orchestrating Change" is a heart-warming documentary that is breaking barriers and eliminating stigma about mental health. It combines a love story with Maestro Ronald Braunstein and Caroline Whiddon along with powerful, real life experiences from musicians who are living with mental illness. The film will leave you feeling inspired and full of hope as the musicians and their family members describe the meaningful successes through the Me2/Orchestra."

Laurie Emerson
Executive Director, NAMI/Vermont

"Orchestrating Change was a beautiful and inspiring film reminding our community of viewers of the importance of human connection, kinship and acceptance. The film underscores the value of embracing one another-- our gifts, our fallibilities, our talents, our highs and our lows-- and illuminates the possibilities of living with mental illness and flourishing."

Sarah Schneider Hong, LMSW
Jewish Family Services, Washtenaw County (Ann Arbor, MI)

"Orchestrating Change highlights the beauty, resilience, and solidarity found among individuals living with mental illness and in those who share a passion for music. I remain in awe of Ronald's courage and perseverance. Thank you, Margie and Barbara, for helping to bring such an inspiring story to light."

Xiaoduo Fan, MD, MPH, MSc
Professor of Psychiatry, Director of UMass MIND Program

"The Case Management Society of America is the oldest and largest professional association for health care professionals providing case management and care coordination services across the health care continuum. There are very few mental health-focused programs and even fewer that provide us with an individual's perspective. Everyone in our audience was moved by the film, "Orchestrating Change" and the discussion following with members of the orchestra and the film's producers. They walked away with a better perception of bias and stigma and had to do a bit of self-reflection to acknowledge these in themselves. You, too, can be inspired by the orchestra members and their conductor; arrange for a showing of the film followed by a discussion with the creators and orchestra members. Your audience will walk away with a renewed commitment to serving those with mental illness and with a better understanding of the struggles these individuals face. And after your experience, please share it with your colleagues."

Rebecca Perez, MSN RN CCM
Sr. Manager of Education and Strategic Partnerships, Case Management Society of America

"What I loved about the film is that it normalized mental health patients. Approaching patients with a mental illness, it shouldn't be scary or off-putting. Think of it as just something a patient has, like a broken elbow, a broken leg. It's just part of you. And the acceptance and love that the patients get from the other members of the orchestra was wonderful. Gave me goose bumps. Talk about a lesson in acceptance. I don't think healthcare is that accepting."

Colleen Pace, LPN
Guardian Nurses Healthcare Advocates screening/panel discussion attendee

"Our goal at JCFS Winnipeg is to help reduce stigma about mental health, and to create the most welcoming and accessible resources for our community members living with mental health differences. Orchestrating Change provided first-hand accounts of recovery and the importance of acceptance. It certainly helped us move closer to our goal – Thank You!!"

Al Benarroch, BA (Hons), MA (Psych.), Executive Director
Jewish Child and Family Service, Winnipeg, Canada