SFWfeaturing sioux falls
Play It Again, Doc!
Music and Miracles: Children’s Care Concert Unlocks Potential and Improves the Lives of Children By Jennifer Dumke• Photos courtesy of Children’s Care Hospital and School
L
ooking past the professionally-lit stage filled with crisp, black tuxedos, dazzling evening gowns and a barrage of stringed and brass instruments are the many faces of children in our community who face a battle. Whether it is physical, mental or struggles from an accident or injury, these young faces are the reason why these groups of talented musicians gather each year to perform. But some of them are not just into music. They are also physicians, who blend science and art into the perfect sonata for the annual Children’s Care Hospital & School fundraiser appropriately titled Doctors in Concert. Since 2003, this annual fundraising concert has impacted countless lives through the music and art therapy programs offered at Children’s Care Hospital and School. “This concert assures that music and art therapies are available for our kids. Because of it, we are able to continue with our Art of Healing & Growing Program,” says Jacquelyn Knowlton, development associate at Children’s Care. Through music therapies, children are given increased exposure to and participation in not only music, but also movement, storytelling, role-playing and visual arts. “I have personally witnessed miracles with our children as they grow from a particular experience with a music therapist, or from one of our visiting artists or staff member that spend time with our children. It truly is heartwarming. Miracles do happen at Children’s Care,” she adds. 22
SIOUX FALLS WOMAN • februar y/march 2012