Hospice to Hold Benefit for its Music Therapy Program
March 24, 2010DeKalb County Hospice invites the public to A Musical Celebration, a benefit for its music therapy program, on Saturday, April 24, 7 p.m. at Blumen Gardens, 403 Edward Street, Sycamore. Doors open at 6:30 p.m. and beverages and light refreshments will be offered. The evening features live music from the Celtic band, Mike King & Friends, including live performances from the recently released music CD, “In Each Moment.”
The full-length music CD was funded by a grant from the DeKalb County Community Foundation and includes songs written by DeKalb County Hospice patients and families, children’s bereavement group, and some stunning instrumentals by NIU faculty musicians and community musicians who generously donated their time to the project. The CD will be available for sale at the event.
The admission price is $15 per person; children aged 12 and under are free. Tickets are available for purchase at the event or in advance at several DeKalb locations: DeKalb County Hospice, Kishwaukee Community Hospital, Poc’s Music, and Flippin’ Eggs, and also at Brown’s County Market, Sycamore; and Picket Fence Restaurant, Sandwich.
Music therapy is the application of music to address the needs of individuals and families. A great deal of research demonstrates that it is effective in meeting a variety of physical, emotional, and spiritual needs such as reducing physical symptoms of pain, agitation, and shortness of breath, alleviating feelings of depression, isolation and loss of control, increasing quality of life, improving communication, regulating breathing, supporting spiritual beliefs and practices, providing emotional support to families, leaving a legacy, inspiring life review, and providing support and comfort during the dying process.
Jen Conley is a board-certified music therapist and has previously practiced music therapy in hospice, geriatric, and educational settings. She is also a Licensed Professional Counselor who has been trained extensively in the use of music for healing and has worked for many years in music ministry.
For more information about DeKalb County Hospice, call 815.756.3000 or visit www.dekalbcountyhospice.org.
