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| 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.
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| Strap rack. PHOTO: Matt Dyer |
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