Soothing music: Darnell provides therapy with instruments and song

By WILL STEWART / Staff Reporter for the Southern Standard (McMinnville, Tenn.)

Music therapist Ginny Darnell sings and plays guitar during a recent therapy session at the middle school. Also seen are session participants Nick Melvin-Morten, left, and Keith Rembiszweski. (Will Stewart photo)

Helping local special education students one note at a time is the goal of music therapist Ginny Darnell who was recently hired by Warren County Schools.

More than merely singing songs, music therapy is a well-established health service similar to occupational and physical therapy. In the science, music activities are used to facilitate changes that are non-musical in nature.

Music therapy has been successfully used to address emotional, psychological, physical, cognitive, behavioral and social problems of people of all ages and disabilities.

“Music is a great way to attract children, to get them to focus and pay attention,” said Darnell. She added the increased stimulation brought about by a music therapy session encourages her students to participate more fully during their other school activities.

Armed with a melodic voice, a guitar and several homemade instruments, she works one day a week with special education students at Hickory Creek Elementary, the high school and the middle school.

A typical 30 minute to one hour therapy session, she said, usually begins with a “hello” song which lets the student know they are starting something new. Another song (age appropriate to the group), sometimes paired with instruments, is then sung and played by the students. The use of instruments, combined with hand clapping, benefits the students’ fine and gross motor skills.

Sessions can also include mirroring exercises in which students mirror each others movements. These help them to stay focused, draws on their cognitive ability and develop team work and social interaction skills.

Upon ending a session, a “good-bye” song must be sung, which allows the students get closure, she said.

“Jenny is really superb with my kids. They’re comfortable with her and respond to her,” said middle school special education teacher Sherrill Bull. “The rhythms have a calming effect.”

Darnell, who graduated from Eastern Carolina University with a degree in music therapy, has previously used her skills in working with various types of patients, from infants to the elderly, with many types of disabilities.