Martha's Vineyard Co-operative Bank Funds Outreach Program for Music Therapy Department

July 6, 2006

Each year Vineyard Vibes raises money to create a community outreach program on the Vineyard involving music education. This year, money will be set aside to fund a music-based stress reduction program, provided by representatives of Berklee's Music Therapy Department, to various non-profit health care organizations on Martha's Vineyard at a time of year when the need is greatest. Emphasis will be placed on stress relief for staff and patients of various facilities.

Berklee music therapy graduates and students will visit three island facilities later this year to offer these stress reduction workshops. Not only will the college be providing a valuable service to people in need through its graduates, but students will also gain hands-on experience by working with patients on the Vineyard.

MV Co-operative Bank President Richard Leonard is enthusiastic and appreciative to be able to sponsor this outreach effort.  Said Leonard, "I am especially gratified to learn of the department's intention to visit multiple locations and organizations so that the help will be spread farther throughout the community."

Berklee's Music Therapy Department was founded in 1996.  The department offers the only undergraduate music therapy program in the Boston area, and is one of the largest undergraduate programs in the U.S., with nearly 100 students enrolled. The curriculum is taught by six professors, five of whom are board-certified music therapists. Program founder Dr. Suzanne Hanser, a nationally recognized music therapist who has won numerous awards for her research, is one of the leading advocates of furthering the profession by providing therapists with evidence-based data on the effects of music therapy.

Said Hanser, "We are proud to offer the expertise of our faculty, graduates, and students to demonstrate a few techniques that can help people cope with everyday stress and strain. We hope to offer residents of Martha's Vineyard a chance to see music therapy in action."  

Vineyard Vibes '06 Schedule:

Friday, July 28: Bobby Sanabria & Ascension, at Outerland (formerly the Hot Tin Roof), in Edgartown, MA. Doors open at 7:00 p.m. Tickets are $24. Sanabria, a Berklee alumnus, will lead his Latin dance orchestra for two sets of high-energy mambo and salsa. Free salsa dance lessons start at 8:00 p.m.

Saturday, July 29: Motown Singers Showcase featuring Jennifer Holliday, at Outerland, in Edgartown. Doors open at 8:30 p.m. Tickets are $28. Vineyard Vibes is proud to welcome Holliday, star of the original Dreamgirls, as the festival's artist-in-residence. She will perform and host the classic sounds of Motown. Ken Zambello directs this special edition of Berklee's popular Singers Showcase.

Sunday, July 30: The Gospel Explosion, with Special Guest Jennifer Holliday, featuring Dennis Montgomery III, directed by Renese King, at the Old Whaling Church, in Edgartown. Doors open at 7:30 p.m. Tickets are $24. Along with Holliday, Montgomery III, and King, the concert will feature some of Berklee's best student vocalists and musicians.

For tickets and information please call 508-693-0305, or visit www.vineyardvibes.com.

Vineyard Vibes is brought to the Island community by Berklee College of Music through sponsorship support from The Martha's Vineyard Co-operative Bank, Numark, Alesis, Akai Professional, the Vineyard Gazette, and Jazziz magazine.