Our Mission
Many hundreds of children, youth and adults gather once every year, from Sydney, across NSW and the nation, to sing out for the healing power of music. Their mighty Celebration Sing Out! concert raises much-needed funds that support music therapy for kids who are very sick in The Children's Hospital at Westmead.
About Music Therapy, and the Ways We Help
The Children's Hospital at Westmead uses music therapy to bring relief and joy to the treatment of very ill children from the many cultures and backgrounds of the South Pacific islands, regional and remote NSW, including Aboriginal children, and of course children from Greater Sydney.
Music Therapy brings together School Kids, Community, Therapists and Sick Kids, and plays a huge role in reducing fear, stress and anxiety
associated with medical treatment procedures and isolation from home and community, not just for the children but also for their families.
associated with medical treatment procedures and isolation from home and community, not just for the children but also for their families.
Making a Difference
Music Therapists help brighten kid's days
Roxanne has been a Music Therapist at The Children's Hospital at Westmead for 12 years, visiting patients one-on-one at their bedside, helping them engage in playing instruments, singing, composing, relaxing and talking about music.
Music Therapy brings something familiar, fun and non-threatening into their environment, helping children to not only cope with hospitalisation, but to build resilience and coping skills.
"Music Therapists also work with other staff to support recovery, whether this is working alongside nursing staff to provide procedural support, or if it is working with other allied health staff in interdisciplinary sessions, where the inclusion of music enhances the achievement of therapeutic goals," said Roxanne.
Roxanne has been a Music Therapist at The Children's Hospital at Westmead for 12 years, visiting patients one-on-one at their bedside, helping them engage in playing instruments, singing, composing, relaxing and talking about music.
Music Therapy brings something familiar, fun and non-threatening into their environment, helping children to not only cope with hospitalisation, but to build resilience and coping skills.
"Music Therapists also work with other staff to support recovery, whether this is working alongside nursing staff to provide procedural support, or if it is working with other allied health staff in interdisciplinary sessions, where the inclusion of music enhances the achievement of therapeutic goals," said Roxanne.
For Roxanne, every day is different as a Music Therapist and she says being able to facilitate experiences that become positive memories for patients and families is a privilege.
"I love leaving at the end of a session knowing that I have made a difference in the day of a child and their family. I am always amazed by the imagination, creativity and tenacity of the children I work with. Even on the sick and painful days, these kids and their families can still benefit from muisc therapy. They inspire me to do my best to bring joy and peace to their day." said Roxanne.
"I love leaving at the end of a session knowing that I have made a difference in the day of a child and their family. I am always amazed by the imagination, creativity and tenacity of the children I work with. Even on the sick and painful days, these kids and their families can still benefit from muisc therapy. They inspire me to do my best to bring joy and peace to their day." said Roxanne.
How We Help
Music Therapy plays a huge role in reducing stress and anxiety associated with medical
treatment procedures, not just for the children but also for their families. Funds raised go directly to
support professional music therapists working at the bedside with kids in
The Children's Hospital at Westmead.
"Its' thanks to the generous support of fundraising such as Celebration Sing Out! that The Children's Hospital at Westmead has been able to employ Music Therapists."
treatment procedures, not just for the children but also for their families. Funds raised go directly to
support professional music therapists working at the bedside with kids in
The Children's Hospital at Westmead.
"Its' thanks to the generous support of fundraising such as Celebration Sing Out! that The Children's Hospital at Westmead has been able to employ Music Therapists."
Leila's first music therapy session was so powerfully uplifting. It reminded me that my daughter is so truly special, inspirational and strong, and brave, and would fight any battle in front of her that lay ahead. She changed as a patient that day. She was more content and definitely a little less fiercely opposed to the nursing staff doing their two-hourly observations. |
"Lara had people who did physio and music therapy, who regularly helped brighten her day. That all made life so much easier." |
"Music therapy doesn't just help with Siddiqah and Azeaqee, it helps me too. It hasn't been easy, the routine at home and being at the hospital can be quite scary but Janet and the team soften the experience. |
Donate
Celebration Sing Out! pays respects to all First Nations Peoples and their Elders past, present and emerging,
and upon whose land we care for each other, sing, dance, make art and share story.
and upon whose land we care for each other, sing, dance, make art and share story.
