Page 24 - Southern Exposure - July '20

Page 24, Southern Exposure

SymPhony newS

Palm Beach Symphony And Creative Arts Therapies

Of The Palm Beaches Lift The Spirits Of Ill Children

Through Remote Musical Sessions

Program At The Quantum House And Palm Beach Children’s Hospital At St. Mary’s

In West Palm Beach Features Interactive Music Therapy

As social distancing is creating a new hurdle for
many, particularly ill children, to overcome, Palm Beach
Symphony and Creative Arts Therapies of the Palm
Beaches are giving them something to sing about, through
a partnership called Nurturing Notes.
The two nonprofit organizations are creating a series of
fun, interactive sessions for the children at Quantum House
and the Palm Beach Children’s Hospital at St. Mary’s in
West Palm Beach to enjoy and stream with their families.
“We were offering Nurturing Notes sessions at Quantum
House and Palm Beach Children’s Hospital until the
children could no longer gather for an in-person session Nurturing Notes interactive video Patients and families enjoy an earlier Nurturing Notes
due to safety concerns in response to COVID-19,” said session at Quantum House.
Palm Beach Symphony CEO David McClymont. “We and memory care communities, at-risk children, veterans
knew we had to find another way to continue the music and Holocaust survivors with PTSD, and those receiving delivering spirited performances by first-rate musicians
therapy that is so important and we will be taping two inpatient care for medical or mental health needs. In one and distinguished guest artists. Recognized by The
sessions a month until we are able to return to in-person of the last in-person sessions at Quantum House held this Cultural Council for Palm Beach County with a 2020 Muse
music therapy sessions.” spring, St. Louis Cardinals shortstop and Palm Beach Award for Outstanding Community Engagement, Palm
Palm Beach Children’s Hospital features a 24-hour Symphony supporter Paul DeJong joined the children in Beach Symphony continues to expand its education and
dedicated pediatric emergency department and, as making music and handed out autographed baseballs. community outreach programs with children’s concerts,
members of the Children’s Oncology Group, it offers a About Palm Beach Symphony student coaching sessions and master classes, instrument
treatment center for childhood cancer with access to the Palm Beach Symphony is South Florida’s premier donations and free public concerts that reached 17,500
most advanced research and treatments. Quantum House orchestra known for its diverse repertoire and commitment students in the 2018-19 season. For more information,
is a caring and supportive home that lessens the burden for to community. Founded in 1974, this 501(c)(3) nonprofit visit www.palmbeachsymphony.org.
families whose children are receiving treatment in Palm arts organization adheres to a mission of engaging,
Beach County for a serious medical condition. educating and entertaining the greater community of the Photos by Palm Beach Symphony
“No matter where the children come from, what Palm Beaches through live performances of inspiring
language they speak or what they dealt with at the hospital orchestral music. The orchestra is celebrated for Symphony News on page 25
that day, Nurturing Notes creates a space where everyone is
welcome and creativity is encouraged,” said Shay Jackson,
Quantum House Outreach Coordinator.
Led by board certified music therapist Bree Gordon,
director of Creative Arts Therapies, the videos are
recorded remotely with members of the Middle Bridge
Trio: Valentin Mansurov and Marina Lenau, violins, and
Jeff Adkins, double bass. Children snap their fingers, drum
out a rhythm or sing along as they are guided through the
online session via a computer or another device.
“The trio present familiar tunes for children and provide
shorter songs for their attention span,” said Lisa Barron,
Pediatric Office Supervisor at Palm Beach Children’s
Hospital at St. Mary’s Medical Center. “Children can enjoy
the activity without much effort on their part and we look
forward to the trio being able to return to their monthly
visits and providing our pediatric patients and families
inspiring musical presentations.”
Nurturing Notes is supported by a grant from the
Community Foundation for Palm Beach and Martin
Counties. “The Community Foundation believes
that investing in creative collaborations adds depth
and diversity to the cultural landscape of our local
communities,” said Vice President of Community Impact
January Reissman.
The Symphony’s Nurturing Notes program with
Creative Arts Therapies of the Palm Beaches is also offered
to vulnerable and isolated populations throughout the
community, including to seniors living in assisted living

Nurturing Notes in-person session