Music can lift spirits and bring people back to specific times in their lives. Whether a person is singing, clapping, or playing an instrument, the feeling of being a part of something creates community and inclusion. The Michigan State University Community Music School (CMS) recognized the need for a program that provides an opportunity for people of all ages and abilities to express themselves through music.
The Reeve Foundation’s $25,000 COVID-19 grant helped the CMS provide music therapy to help people with living with paralysis and other special needs and medical conditions build communication skills, socialization, fine/gross motor skills, self-expression, and wellness.
With the Reeve Foundation’s grant, the program could expand its services through the use of music stations. The program bought two music stations that increased sound quality and supported hybrid stations. However, these stations also endorsed the use of technology that decreased accessibility issues. The equipment has been used to provide music therapy services to 111 individuals, 55 of whom are individuals living with paralysis.
The Music Therapy Clinical Services program could afford to increase accessibility through iPads. In addition, the various apps on the iPad opened up opportunities to the participants in the CMS program.
COVID-19 changed how music therapists and instructors instructed their participants. Because of the funding from the Reeve Foundation, they quickly moved to Zoom and successfully provided sessions virtually. Using Zoom to bring music therapy services to people who lived far from the CMS, were bedridden, in the hospital, or lacked transportation. Additionally, individuals who don’t feel comfortable participating in onsite sessions can join classes through Zoom.