In Harmony
Within the Fox Valley Symphony Orchestra's education and outreach program portfolio, Music For Everyone, is an initiative designed to bring the joy of quality, live music to underrepresented individuals of varying backgrounds and abilities. In Harmony works to overcome the many barriers to participation and engagement with music - time, transportation, physical safety, environmental discomfort and finances - that exist for many in these populations.
In Harmony partners a Fox Valley Symphony Orchestra music ensemble with a board-certified music therapist and community site to present a music-therapy informed performance in a variety of special needs classrooms, adult day, senior, and intervention centers within the Fox Cities. Each season of the program features eight, 45-60 minute long, bi-weekly sessions for each site. Several additional sites, which provide services to clients with special needs or cares, may also receive a one-time participatory performance as an introduction to In Harmony.
What is Music Therapy?
Music Therapy is the clinical and evidence-based use of music interventions to accomplish individualized goals within a therapeutic relationship by a credentialed professional who has completed an approved music therapy program. A board-certified music therapist utilizes music and all of its facets-physical, emotional, mental, social, aesthetic, and spiritual-to help clients improve or maintain their health
What does a Music-Therapy Informed Performance Entail?
A music therapy-informed performance includes goal-based interventions created for each song – which may look different depending on the setting participating in the music. These goals include, but are not limited to, increased engagement/attention span, increased movement, and increased self-expression. These performances are not music therapy sessions, as group members do not have their own individual goals and objectives being addressed within each performance; however, the music therapist does adapt interventions within the performances to best engage participants and encourage interaction with the music within their abilities.
Who can participate in In Harmony?
In Harmony collaborates with local partners who work with marginalized populations unable to readily access the arts. With a wide range of participants, the program seeks to fill a need and encourage growth by identifying goals and working together to accomplish them through music.
If interested in participating, please contact Cassie Schwandt to request an application for participation. This year, partner sites include:
- Rawhide Youth Services
- Thompson Center on Lourdes
- Peabody Manor
- Appleton Area School District
- The Building for Kids
- Fox Valley Memory Project
In Harmony is a part of our: