The Music Medicine
A documentary by Frenk van der Linden
Singing as Medicine
What happens when words begin to fade, but a song can give you your voice back?
The documentary The Music Medicine — which premiered in May 2025 and toured theatres across the Netherlands — offers a moving and intimate portrayal of the impact of singing in the lives of people living with Dementia.
Journalist Frénk van der Linden followed the work of Maartje de Lint, classical singer and founder of Singing in Healthcare (Zingen in de Zorg), over a period of three years. Her mission is to use singing as a meaningful intervention and training approach for people living with a vulnerable brain — always seeking possibilities and connection.
From an intimate Singing-Circle to a moving session at The Concertgebouw or the Leipzig Opera, The Music Medicine reveals what singing can bring in moments where words are no longer enough. Drawing on both practice and science, the film shows how singing can evoke memory, foster connection, and support a sense of joy and self-worth.
We meet participants such as Eli, a Moluccan man who reconnects with his zest for life through singing, and Theo, whose emotions are deeply touched each time he hears Mooi Volendam, his personal anthem. The film also highlights how care professionals and family members learn to use singing as a bridge to connection, comfort, and shared meaning.
About the Documentary
At Singing in Healthcare (Zingen in de Zorg), we are committed to the ongoing professionalisation of our work. Singing with people living with a vulnerable brain has shown to have a profound impact — reaching deeply into both emotional and physical well-being.
The Music Medicine is an ode to sound memory, to humanity in care, and to the power of song. We are grateful that our work is being made visible in this way, and warmly invite you to watch and share the documentary.
Trailer
The Dutch premiere in Haarlem
Want to bring the film in-house?
Want to bring the film to your care institution or organization? Contact the production company Memphis Film en Video.
A question for Maartje? Contact her here.