Program Highlight – MUSIC!

Virtual Music will be led by Music Therapy students from Carroll University under the supervision of a licensed professor. Music will support teens and adults as they learn about different music styles, build self-confidence, strengthen social skills, communication, and creative expression through the therapeutic use of music and movement.

In addition to the communication and social benefits of the class, participants will learn basic music theory. This program will consider cognitive skills and life skill development that can be taught in connection to music, as well as increase self-esteem and creative expression. Music will also promote cultural enrichment and awareness (lyrics, cultural styles, tempos, instruments).

ADDITIONAL PROGRAM GOALS

• Music can stimulate cortical areas to improve cognition and comprehension (through musical games, songs, playing instruments, creating instruments, sensory integration)
• Music can help to develop alternative coping mechanisms through sustained, sedative, stimulative, or anxiolytic music to address various effects of adverse autonomic responses (replacement behaviors/actions)
• Development of fine/gross motor skills (Auditory Rhythmicity—motor control strategies for spatial-temporal organization of complex sequential movements) with rhythm work, dancing, marching to band music, instrument use, and musical games
• Increase brain work by identifying rhythmic structure; the rhythm of the heartbeat, breathing, the cadence in walking.
• Singing to improve oral-motor skills (speech and language skills) to aid in the development and remediation of speech through singing games and musical repetition
• Singing to increase cardiopulmonary and respiratory function
• Singing instructions for daily tasks to give organization in following and comprehending verbal directions
• Increase in attending behavior
• Music as a reinforcer and motivation for movement, exercise, gross and fine motor skills development, and improvement in muscle and joint functioning.
• Music as an aid in relaxation and to decrease anxiety and pain
• Musical improvisation also supports social interaction, group experience, self-image play therapy, and ways to explore emotions in a nonverbal and non-threatening way to channel expression and negative impulses
• Music is instantly gratifying and provides a sense of personal achievement, increases self-esteem, and self-worth.