Listening to music can be therapeutic. It can also be therapeutic to play it.
Now, with help from Variety – The Children’s Charity, the Victoria Conservancy of Music can help more people in the community in need of music therapy.
Variety has funded VCM with a gift of $22,850 to help its music therapy department.
A portion of the funds received will purchase a Soundbeam 5 which is an instrument that uses motion sensors and switches to translate body movements into music and sound. It’s a type of therapy that gives children with physical or mental challenges a way to communicate and express themselves.
Johanne Brodeur, head of VCM’s music therapy department said the response to this type of therapy is extraordinary.
“We witness victories regularly,” said Brodeur. “The emotion from the children’s parents and loved ones is overwhelming when they see their child speak, laugh, react or play after months of silence.”
VCM helps 1,800 people weekly, including 800 children, at its studios, and in schools, hospitals, group homes, long-term care facilities and palliative care units.
“We can’t thank Variety enough,” said Brodeur. “these funds and they will go a long way in helping our music therapy participants.”