Music to their ears

The silhouette of a cowboy hat coming down the hall signaled his arrival at McMaster Children’s Hospital (MCH) on September 7. Patients and staff greeted Canadian country music singer, Gord Bamford, who presented a cheque to McMaster Children’s Hospital Foundation for $10,000 in support of the music therapy program.

Gord, who is a 24-time Canadian Country Music Association Award winner, is passionate about supporting the health of children and youth. The Gord Bamford Foundation provides funds for initiatives that involve music, education, and health care and benefit young people across Canada.

“Music is very powerful and I’m proud to support music therapy for children,” says Gord. “As a father myself, I understand and appreciate the importance of our children’s hospitals.”

“Music is a universal language”

Music has nonverbal and emotional qualities that help to develop a therapeutic relationship between the patient and therapist. Music therapists skillfully use music to promote mental, physical, and emotional well-being for children receiving care. This can be helpful to patients who experience anxiety and extreme emotions.

Working closely with a diverse team of healthcare professionals, music therapists support exceptional clinical care with therapeutic services that meet the needs of patients and their families.

“Music is a universal language,” says Bonnie Brittain, a music therapist who works with patients at MCH twice a week. “It can allow you to connect with someone who may not be able to speak to you, but can feel emotion and can experience the physical reaction of relaxation in response to the music.”

Bonnie is grateful for the donor support of the Gord Bamford Foundation, which will help the program expand the scope of its services.

“We are extremely grateful for the $10,000 gift to support the Music Therapy Program,” says Tamara Pope, the vice-president of marketing and communications at Hamilton Health Sciences Foundation. “This generous gift will enhance the patient experience for children and youth from throughout south-central Ontario who are receiving care at MCH.”