Mark your calendars! A 30-minute documentary about Maryville University’s Creative Music Making program will air on the Nine Network of Public Media on Saturday, May 10 at 11 a.m. and Thursday, May 14 at 10 p.m.

Creative Music Making is a collaborative project between Maryville University, the St. Louis Symphony Orchestra and the St. Louis Arc to empower adults with disabilities to conceive, rehearse and perform their very own concert.

“Creative Music Making is a unique opportunity for St. Louis Arc clients to demonstrate their love of music, their ability to express themselves and their ability to shine in the spotlight,” said Laura Beer, PhD, director of Maryville’s Music Therapy program and associate professor of music therapy. “It gives them the opportunity to perform on stage, something they often only see others doing when they are a part of an audience.”

Creative Music Making was founded 10 years ago under the leadership of Cynthia Briggs, MM PsyD, MT-BC, past director of Maryville’s Music Therapy program. The program is one of the many ways Maryville music therapy students gain hands-on, real-world experience before entering the workforce.

For weeks leading up to the program, students research and select which songs will be performed. They then organize and run two days of rehearsals, including helping participants learn new songs and how to play new instruments, before the final performance takes place on the third day.

“It’s a growing experience for everyone involved,” Beer said. “The students, the symphony musicians and the Arc clients all learn how to use music in new, innovative and creative ways. Additionally, no where else in their education do our students have the opportunity to spend such concentrated time with clients. They really get a sense of what it’s actually like to work as a music therapist and learn their strengths as well as what areas they want to improve in the future.”

Thank you Nine Network and HEC-TV for highlighting the Creative Music Making program!

To learn more about Creative Music Making, please watch our Facebook Live interview with Laura Beer, PhD, director of Maryville’s Music Therapy program and associate professor of music therapy, and Sharon Spurlock, senior director of family support at St. Louis Arc.