Using both sides of the brain

Corpus Callosum band features multi-talented physicians.|

Anatomically, the corpus callosum is the band of fibers connecting the left and right sides of the brain. Musically (and locally), Corpus Callosum is a band with all members sharing close ties to the Petaluma Health Center.

Five years ago, Dr. Fasih Hameed and Dr. John Pendleton of the Petaluma Health Center wrote and performed a couple parody songs for events at the PHC as a way to “spice up the events a little bit.” From this, a band was formed and is now comprised of Hameed, Pendleton, a midwife from PHC and Petaluma Valley Hospital, a family therapist, a spouse of a physician’s assistant and one college friend.

“We have this pretty incredible Halloween performance every year, and we always write a silly song for the skit,” said Hameed. “We also put together some sort of performance for the annual winter party. Then there was a fundraiser at Lagunitas Brewing Company. Then a float at the Butter and Eggs Day Parade. Then another fundraiser. As the gigs got more public, we had to bring on more and more folks to keep it professional.”

The band features Pendleton on drums; Hameed on guitar; Rebecca McLeod-Waldo on lead vocals; Marcus Moore on bass, guitar and vocals; Arjan Khalsa on keyboard and mandolin; and Dave Clement on guitar.

The band plays a variety of cover tunes when performing live - everything from classic rock, indie rock and bluegrass to more contemporary music.

The formation of the band has helped the members with balancing a demanding lifestyle in health care. They play music as a hobby and a break from the intensity of practicing medicine.

“Practicing medicine consumes the time. If you don’t allow yourself a mental break, it is hard to maintain the focus you need and the ability to connect with patients,” said Pendleton. “Music allows us to use different skills and a different part of our brains and keep some balance in life. Playing music has always been especially important to making me feel balanced. Thus the name Corpus Callosum.”

After juggling many different band names, Corpus Callosum seemed fitting for the circumstance - the band encourages and demonstrates whole-brain learning.

“Although the idea of the right brain being the more creative side and the left side being more analytic is probably too simplistic, it does make sense for how music helps us to feel balanced,” said Pendleton.

As for upcoming events, Corpus Callosum is playing a few private parties over the summer, “At this point, we don’t have lofty goals. I don’t think any of us are going to quit our day jobs.” said Pendleton. “Playing a party or fundraiser from time to time is a pretty reasonable goal. Just continuing to get together once a week is important to me. We’d love to play out in the community more, but we are strapped for time. Work and family are the higher priorities.”

Getting together and playing music that Corpus Callosum band members have grown up listening to, working on harmonies, incorporating in more instruments and feeling the elements of the songs come together for a fun, final product is the desired state of mind - and brain - behind the band.

“We just want to let the music contribute to a balanced life and we hope that at any gig we play, the audience is enjoying themselves as much as we are!” said Hameed.

(Contact Kate Hoover at argus@arguscourier.com)

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