

The Community Chords Healing Harmonies initiative is designed to provide therapy, health benefits, and education to a population that currently has very few resources in our community. This project has been designed with a great deal of partnership and resource collaboration in order to serve oncology patients, individuals suffering from neurological trauma & diseases, loved ones and caregivers of these patients, and the healthcare professionalswho have worked tirelessly to protect and serve our communities through the COVID-19 pandemic. Additionally, this program will serve as a training ground for the next generation of educators and counselors, as it will be an official internship site for Mississippi State University's Department of Education and serve as an approved practicum program for the University's Department of Counseling.
In a groundbreaking collaboration with Anderson Regional Health System & Mississippi State University, the Meridian Symphony Association will offer on-site music therapy for oncology & neurology patients, as well as therapy classes & workshops at The Mississippi Arts + Entertainment Experience, where we propose to combine music & tactile art therapy for in-home care patients & education and support classes for families & caregivers. The Healing Harmonies program also provides guided mindfulness sessions for hospital staff which combines a guided session & live or recorded music to assist staff members in combating extreme exhaustion/fatigue, grief, & stress while working within today’s COVID-19 medical field. Additionally, the second phase of the Healing Harmonies program will incorporate pediatrics/NIC-U & adolescent trauma - an arm of the program which can also be incorporated within the local school systems, at Care Lodge, & Hope Village.
Music Therapy for Dementia Patients

Therapy sessions are led by Board Certified Music Therapist Jewel Lynne Shirley.
She says, "Music not only brings people together, but helps them communicate when words fail."
For more information or to register, call the Meridian Symphony Office at (601) 693-2224.
Each Wednesday
The Max
2155 Front St, Meridian
Weekend Wellness Workshop Series
"Giving Families Tools For Better Everydays"

The Weekend Wellness Workshop Series welcomes parents of children with special needs. These sessions offer means of musical interventions to improve relaxation and facilitate self-reflection, including group support, life-balance discussion, and self-care techniques.
For more information and/or to register, contact info@thespotfamily.com or call (601) 207-0680.
April 22, May 20, & June 17*
MSU-Meridian Rosenbaum Building
Two Session Options:
9-10AM or 10:30-11:30AM
Registration Opens February 13
*Registrants are requested to attend all 3 sessions as skills will build through the series. Space is limited to 20 participants.
Partners




Staff/Professionals
Carra Purvis
Executive Director, Meridian Symphony Association
Jewel Lynne Shirley
Music Therapist, Meridian Symphony Association
Dr. Zainab Daud
Neurology, Anderson Regional Health Systems
Laura Carmichael
Director of Development, Anderson Regional Health Systems
Dr. Matt Cassell
Oncology, Anderson Regional Health Systems
Dr. Kim Hall
MSU - Interim Associate Dean of Academic Affairs, College of Education, Starkville; Head, Division of Education, Meridian