Attempt to capture the atmosphere of a walk through Gaylord Hall

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Non-profit organization holds instrument drive for needy individuals

Three strings. PHOTO: Matt Dyer

by Matt Dyer

The Music Moves Mountains Foundation (MMMF), in partnership with Sonder Music, Dance & Art, is currently holding an instrument drive. The drive is an on-going project to build an instrument bank for the MMMF to use during their music therapy programs. The music therapy programs are designed to help special needs children and adults cope through their problems.  Any types of instrument or software are welcome for donation. The drop-off point is at Sonder Music, Dance & Art in Norman.

The instrument drive is an important part of a several MMMF programs, such as the “Play It Forward” program. The “Play It Forward” program gives children and others the opportunity to learn a musical instrument even if their family can’t afford one. Those who show interest in learning how to play an instrument are paired with a teacher and taught how to play.  The idea of the “Play It Forward” program is for those who have been taught to play an instrument to “play it forward” by teaching someone else how to play that same instrument.  Lauren Sonder, owner of Sonder Music, Dance & Art believes programs such as “Play It Forward” are great for children.

“The Music Moves Mountain’s Foundation is really filling a void in the Norman/OKC metro area for families with special needs children looking for fun and productive extra-curricular activities,” Sonder said.

The MMMF was founded in the summer 2012 by Julie Frost and has been slowly growing since. The MMMF is an advocate of musical therapy, which is uncommon in Oklahoma. Musical therapy is used to help people with mental or physical illnesses either cope or recover. The instrument drive, which began just before the new year, is the first instrument drive that the MMMF has sponsored.  So far, no instruments have been donated to the MMMF Instrument Drive, however Sonder Music, Dance & Art receives instrument donations fairly often for their music programs.

Besides the desire to spread musical therapy to people in Oklahoma, Julie Frost was inspired to start the MMMF by her son. Frost’s son, who suffers from a neurological disorder that makes it difficult for his brain to communicate with his body, has benefited from music therapy himself. Frost says that music is a great way for the body and brain to recover and can be very therapeutic for those who are in distress.

“Music in general is amazing. It can help literally anybody, from prenatal babies in the womb to adults. Everyone can benefit in some way from the power of music,” Frost said.

In addition to the instrument drive and the “Play It Forward” program, the MMMF has several more events coming up within the next few months, including a free benefit concert in April. Anyone who wishes to donate to the MMMF Instrument Drive can bring their instrument by Sonder Music, Dance & Art, 225 E. Gray St. Monday – Thursday from 12:30-5:30pm.  If you wish to learn more about the MMMF or volunteer to help with their programs you can contact Julie Frost at (405) 694-3700 or email info@musicmovesmountains.org.

Strap rack. PHOTO: Matt Dyer

PWOP

My PWOP. PHOTO: Matt Dyer

SOP

Courtyard. PHOTO: Matt Dyer

Doorway. PHOTO: Matt Dyer

Medieval Lecture Series continues with a presentation on the Ghost Ships of Oslo

University of Central Oklahoma (UCO) professor Stephen Law will be in Norman for a free lecture on the Ghost Ships of Oslo on Friday. The lecture, a part of the Medieval Lecture Series, is hosted by the Norman Public Library and is set to begin at 6:30 PM. The Medieval Lecture Series is a program that promotes the Medieval Fair of Norman and provides learning opportunities to the public. The Medieval Fair of Norman runs from April 5 to April 7. The Ghost Ships of Oslo are just a few of the hundreds of Viking burial ships. Dr. Law had the chance to visit these ships at their museum in Norway in June 2012.

The Medieval Lecture Series covers a new topic each week. Previous weeks have been about old manuscripts, musical instruments and dancing. The lecture topics do not relate specifically to the Medieval Fair, but they are a good opportunity for people to come and learn for free about topics that interest them. The series is also a good way for professionals from colleges across Oklahoma to come and share their knowledge of all things Medieval.

The Medieval Fair of Norman is the first renaissance fair in Oklahoma and is among the few medieval fairs that are free in the United States. The fair first began in 1977 and has been held annually since then. The Medieval Lecture Series began five years ago and Ann Eckart is happy about the outcome.

“I enjoy seeing the interest and love of learning sparked in others and I love being able to go to free lectures about things I'm interested in,” Eckart said.

Friday’s lecture about the Ghost Ships of Oslo will deal with Viking history and their burial rituals. Vikings practice this tradition of burial at sea because they feel it is “the passage to the land of the dead.” This practice was used for many Viking people, not just high-class individuals, with smaller boats being used for lesser individuals. The Ghost Ships of Oslo are believed to have held  Queen Asa Haraldsdottir of Norway and a servant from the Black Sea region. Dr. Law teaches several medieval subjects at UCO and has a passion for Viking history.

“Needless to say, having done it for so long, I enjoy sharing information about the Middle Ages with the general public,” Law said.

 
The presentation will begin at 6:30 and be held at the Norman Public Library, 225 N. Webster. For more information on the Medieval Lecture Series or the Medieval Fair of Norman visit http://www.medievalfair.org or contact Ann Eckart, Medieval Fair Coordinator at ameckart@ou.edu or call (405) 325-8610.