Creative Expressions a ‘blessing’
The Life Enrichment Center in Milledgeville has participated in Music Therapy activities for the past eight years and their groups continue to grow. They help give people with developmental disabilities the opportunity to achieve their goals through employment and personal and social services. For the mentally and physically impaired, the Life Enrichment Center strives to improve not only their quality of life, but also to improve their functional abilities and over all mental and physical well-being.
Lauren Chandley, junior at GCSU, frequently volunteers at the Life Enrichment Center and loves being able to help brighten a person’s day.
“Volunteering at the Life Enrichment Center has been a blessing to me,” said Chandley. “Everyone there has such a sweet and upbeat spirit about them. There are so many opportunities to get involved there and your work is greatly appreciated.”
Music has always been an understood art form that allows people to be creative and express themselves, but what many people may not realize is that it is also a form of therapy. According to the American Music Therapy Association, Music Therapy is an established healthcare profession that uses music to address physical, emotional, cognitive, and social needs of individuals of all ages.? It also is aids in improving one’s quality of life and meets the needs of children and adults with disabilities or illnesses.
The Life Enrichment Center has partnered with the Music Therapy Department at Georgia College & State University to form Creative Expressions. Creative Expressions includes several different types of musical groups that involve both college students and participants of the Life Enrichment Center. They meet every week and play several different types of musical instruments, which some participants have become very good at playing. They have also travelled all around the southeast United States performing at different venues.
Amethyst Jamieson is a Senior Music Therapy Major helps out with groups in Creative Expressions.
“I have been working with Music in Motion for two years now,” said Jamieson. “Music in Motion combines sign language and music. I feel that helping with this program gives me great experience for my major, and also a good feel for something that I want to do in life.”
There are several different music groups within Creative Expressions and they will all be performing Friday night. These groups include the “Good Vibrations” drummers, The Harmonettes Handbell Choir, Music in Motion, which combines sign language and modern music, and the Harmonettes Chorus. There will also be solo performances along with performances by the Ribbons in the Sky dancers.
Ginger Carter Miller is the mother of Jeffrey Carter, 26, who is a drummer in “Good Vibrations.”
“My son Jeffrey Carter is a drummer in the ‘Good Vibrations’ drumming group, and it has changed is life,” said Carter Miller. “He loves participating, and he wants all of his friends from GCSU to come hear him play Friday night. All of the music performances are really enjoyable and very special. If you need your spirits lifted, come to this concert Friday night. You won’t regret it.”
The show will be Friday night in the Arts & Sciences Auditorium at 7 p.m. This show will definitely put a smile on your face and put you in a good mood.
Posted by Colonnade Archives
on Nov 21 2008. Filed under Features.
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