Enriching lives through participation in music
Music Therapy Services of West Music
A Trip Down Memory Lane: 30 Years of Lives Enriched Through Participation in Music
02/01/24
West Music leadership and associates are proud that the company offers music therapy services, and have entrusted their therapists with services for their own families over the years, too.
As part of our 30th anniversary celebration, here are some of their memories!
Steve West is Chairman of West Music and the son of West Music founder, Pearl West. Steve’s leadership led to the addition of music therapy services at West Music, and he has also experienced first-hand the services provided by the music therapists:
I have been blessed to observe the impact and the power of music on so many lives of all ages during my career. One of many was close to home. My father Pearl - the founder of West Music and a lifelong player of music - developed dementia in his later life. The last way he could express himself after losing the ability to speak was by making music. With the assistance of a music therapist, he continued to play the saxophone, and this brought incredible joy to him and the family. It was life-changing to observe that. Music was everything in my father’s life: he was a life-long musician, he built a business around his passion, and music was there at the end of his life. It was a beautiful closing to a beautiful life.
Judy Pine has been at West Music since 1980, and is currently Director of National Outside Events and. She has seen the department’s growth as she has partnered with them at conferences and for product development, and she has experienced the department’s services for herself:
My mother, Ruby Triggs, loved music her entire life. She sang in the school and church choirs and played flute in her school’s band. As our mother, she encouraged all of us to do the same through our school years and beyond. When she became a resident of a care center near where I lived, it was natural for us to secure the services of the Music Therapy department at West Music to work with her every week.
How she loved singing hymns and music of her life with her therapist every week. She would tell me about playing a cabasa, a drum, or bass bar during my visits with her. I also appreciated the reports the therapist would send to me, and I would in turn share with my sisters who lived further away. We all enjoyed them and were very thankful to the Music Therapy Department for these insights into these great sessions. As she aged, she listened and smiled more than participated, and I know she took great comfort, as did the rest of her family, in these special times.
Robin Walenta is CEO Emerita after serving as president of the company for (#) years. She has overseen the music therapy department for 16 years, and when she saw a need in her family, she was sure to utilize the services of the therapists:
Music always held a special place in my mother's heart. It was a source of solace, joy, and comfort throughout her life. As her Parkinson’s disease progressed and her physical abilities diminished, we turned to music therapy as a holistic approach to alleviate her symptoms and enhance her overall well-being.From the very first session, we witnessed the transformative power of music therapy in my mother's life. The West Music music therapist embraced her unique needs, tailoring each session to suit her physical limitations and emotional state. Through a variety of techniques, including guided singing, rhythm exercises, and instrument playing, the therapist created a safe and nurturing environment that allowed my mother to reconnect with her love for music and experience a sense of independence amidst her physical constraints.
From the very first session, we witnessed the transformative power of music therapy in my mother's life. The West Music music therapist embraced her unique needs, tailoring each session to suit her physical limitations and emotional state. Through a variety of techniques, including guided singing, rhythm exercises, and instrument playing, the therapist created a safe and nurturing environment that allowed my mother to reconnect with her love for music and experience a sense of independence amidst her physical constraints.
Perhaps the most impactful aspect of music therapy was the incredible support it provided during my mother's end-of-life transition. As her health began to rapidly decline, the music therapist worked in collaboration with the hospice care team to create a personalized music-filled environment that brought immense comfort and tranquility to her final days.
Music therapy became an essential part of my mother's journey, allowing her to maintain her dignity, find solace in her favorite melodies, and elevate her spirit during trying times. It not only facilitated a connection between her mind and body but also fostered an emotional connection with her loved ones until her peaceful passing.
I am forever grateful to the music therapy team at West Music for their unwavering dedication, compassionate care, and the transformative impact they had on my mother's life. Their expertise and commitment to enhancing the well-being of individuals facing illnesses like Parkinson's are a true testament to the healing potential that lies within music.
Our family will forever cherish the memories forged through music therapy and remain deeply grateful for the comfort it brought to my mother's journey.
