Outreach Programs

Music Outreach Programs are a wonderful way of benefiting the Life Energy of entire communities. For this reason, they are actively supported/sponsored by the Life Energy Foundation. 

What is a Music Outreach Program?

It is an interactive musical outreach in health-care venues like nursing homes, retirement communities, and hospitals. A group of volunteers come in and sing older style popular songs which are familiar to residents and easy to sing. 

The emphasis is on interaction. Everyone is encouraged to join in with the singing and, where appropriate, with dancing too. This is not a performance in the usual sense. The focus is for volunteers to use their music to activate the music-making of the residents. Close-up physical contact such as holding hands is encouraged.

The Background

Music Outreach Programs are based on the work and philosophy of John Diamond, M.D.  Since Dr. Diamond organized the first Music Outreach Program in 1991 in London, thousands of MOPs have been run worldwide, and tens of thousands of individuals have benefited. 

MOPs are profoundly beneficial for participants. They profoundly benefit the Life Energy of both the residents of the institutions where the programs take place and the volunteers who run the programs. Music Outreach Projects are a major therapeutic and educational resource whose long-terms benefits are only starting to be realized. 

The Universality of Music Outreach Programs

A remarkable aspect of Music Outreach Programs is their universality. Everyone benefits from them. Participants don’t need to be musically experienced or technically gifted, and need only a minimum of training to get started. Because of this, many types of volunteers can use Music Outreach Programs to enhance their lives. Among the groups that have benefited are:

• School Children. Music Outreach Programs have important social, personal and musical benefits when integrated into mainstream education. In the Hand-in-Hand Music Outreach Program currently running in Canberra, Australia, 15,000 children have benefited.
• Special Needs for Children and Adults. The importance of music for individuals with special needs is well-known. The altruistic orientation encouraged in volunteers by Music Outreach Programs is a tremendously powerful tool in enhancing socialization, self-esteem, cognition, physical coordination and many other things besides. 
• Individuals and families who want to use music to enhance their lives.

What is Your Interest in Music Outreach Programs?

• Hosting a Music Outreach Program at your Healthcare Venue
• Volunteering at a Music Outreach Program
• Discovering the advantages of Music Outreach Programs in Mainstream Education
• Learning more about Music Outreach Programs for Special Needs (both Children and Adults)
• Getting information about the LEF's Staff Training Program: Learn how you or your staff can run an outreach program