I thought this might be a good time to bring Citrus County residents up to date on what is transpiring with our nonprofit, Music in Medicine. Those of you who were kind enough to donate to our cause may want to know how your hard-earned donation is being put to good use.
Like so many other organizations, we have had to curtail the services we provide to medical facilities. Like others, we look forward to the day when the virus is under control, and we will be able to enter hospitals and other medical facilities at will. We miss providing the therapeutic music, as I know the patients miss listening to it.
However, one of our central missions is moving forward nicely. The focus of our fundraising was to bring in enough money to pay for the training of local musicians to become therapeutic musicians. We have been very fortunate in finding excellent musicians who have the heart and desire to put their musical talent to work in this very valuable service.
Currently, we have three musicians in training. All three will complete the classroom work (virtually) in March or so. They will be ready to enter medical facilities when it is possible to do so.
All three of the musicians have expressed gratitude for being given this opportunity to expand their horizons. They are all learning how music impacts the human body, and how to modify their music accordingly.
One student sent a note saying, “When I started this course, I had no idea how much of the principle and concept of this program I could apply to my own life situations. I learned how music can alleviate stress and anxiety, like the kind caused by the current issues we all face. I have even applied the principles to helping a pet that suffers from epilepsy and separation anxiety.”
It is important to remember that in helping our organization meet our mission, not only are you providing a valuable service to patients in need of healing, but you are helping caring musicians to fully develop their interpersonal skills and comprehension of the dynamics of the human body and mind.
On behalf of our board of directors and all of our students, I want to thank you. Thank you for helping us as we journey down our path toward bringing therapeutic music into Citrus County. So many people will benefit, and it is all due to the help we have received from people like you. And I would be remiss if I didn’t give the Alzheimer’s Foundation of America credit too, for generous grants they have given us.
President, Music in Medicine
Certified music practitioner
