Lakes Homes Music Therapy Program

Members of the Lakes Homes Christmas Choir performing "Thirty-Two Feet and Eight Little Tails" by: John Redmond, James Cavanaugh and Frank Weldon, December 2011.

Lakes Homes & Program Development, Inc. has been a part the Detroit Lakes, Fergus Falls, and Mahnomen communities for over 30 years, providing residential and program services to individuals with disabilities. Two years ago, music therapy was added to the services being provided for their residents by Board Certified Music Therapist, Elizabeth (Livingood) Kelly. She has created a music therapy program for Lakes Homes which includes small therapeutic groups as well as two performance groups, the "Lakes Homes Chorus" and the "Dulcimer Dudes."

As a newer service, Lakes Homes Music Therapy program needs to expand to better suit the needs of the individuals served. Our goal would be to purchase new adaptive instruments and equpiment for use in small group settings and by purchasing handbells/tone chimes to start a new performance group!

The American Music Therapy Association describes music therapy as an established health profession in which music is used within a therapeutic relationship to address physical, emotional, cognitive, and social needs of individuals. After assessing the strengths and needs of each client, the qualified music therapist provides the indicated treatment including creating, singing, moving to, and/or listening to music. Through musical involvement in the therapeutic context, clients' abilities are strengthened and transferred to other areas of their lives. Music therapy also provides avenues for communication that can be helpful to those who find it difficult to express themselves in words. Research in music therapy supports its effectiveness in many areas such as: overall physical rehabilitation and facilitating movement, increasing people's motivation to become engaged in their treatment, providing emotional support for clients and their families, and providing an outlet for expression of feelings.

So often, we take for granted the opportunities we have to join a choir or band, or participate in musical activities in our communities. Please support this unique program so the gift of music can be shared and enjoyed! Thank you for your consideration in the State Bank & Trust Pay It Forward program.

Category:

Entertainment

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• SBTPIF2012