In a Sunday (5/13) Associated Press article, Cindy Wolff writes about the Memphis Symphony Orchestra’s work at grief counseling centers for children. “Through grants and a program called HealthyRHYTHMS, the Memphis Symphony Orchestra provides drum circles for several organizations including Youth Villages, said Frank Shaffer, a percussionist for the orchestra and an associate professor of percussion at the University of Memphis. ‘They can say something on a drum that’s too painful to say in words,’ Shaffer said.” … Counselors at the grief center, which is a free service open to anyone, are always looking for ways to help children and adults express themselves, said Angela Hamblen, the center’s director. ‘Some like to talk about their grief,’ she said. ‘Some can’t express it in words, but they can express it in art or music. This is another way we hope will help.’ Thirteen-year-old Tykiere Walker and his brother Atyrion, 11, sat across from each other in the circle. Their mother, Leondra, died last year at age 31.… They cry only when they get frustrated by something, said their aunt, Deidra Robinson, who has custody of the boys. ‘You could see in their faces how much they enjoyed playing those drums,’ Robinson said. ‘It was good to see.’ ”
Posted May 15, 2012
