The Music Box Initiative
“The smiles on the seniors’ faces as they enjoyed playing along were wonderful to see!” “It’s a resource our recreation team and music therapist use weekly.” “The instruments are high quality and I know that we will be using them for years to come.”
“The smiles on the seniors’ faces as they enjoyed playing along were wonderful to see!” “It’s a resource our recreation team and music therapist use weekly.” “The instruments are high quality and I know that we will be using them for years to come.”
We know the power that music holds for connecting older adults.
The Music Box Initiative was created by Emily after the music programs she was running in a long-term care home were shut down due to COVID. After seeing the incredible impact music had for the residents, she wanted to help bring instruments to as many older adults as possible.
Through our Aerie Changemakers funding, we sent out over $10000 worth of instruments to long-term care, retirement, and community programs for older adults in Ontario.
Our Music Boxes were curated with easy-to-use instruments, like rhythm sticks, chimes, and shaker eggs. Instruments were selected based off Emily’s own experiences working with music groups in long-term care (her favourite to use was always the chimes!)
We were also able to send out a wide variety of specially requested instruments, from guitars for residents who wanted to learn how to play, to unique instruments like tamboas and xylophones.
Did you receive instruments from the Music Box Initiative? We’d love to hear about how they’re impacting the older adults in your community. Tag us on social media (@musiciansfound) or let us know below!
33
Long-term care and retirement homes have received instruments through the Music Box Initiative
29
Music Boxes have helped enrich the lives of older adults
23
Cities across Ontario have received instruments from our program
FAQs
-
Any long-term care or retirement home in Ontario can apply. (We only ship to verified Ontario addresses.) Community programs or music therapy programs that serve older adults can also apply.
-
A Music Box is a curated box of instruments, which can include instruments like chimes, egg shakers, hand drums, rhythm sticks, and other percussion instruments commonly used in music therapy programs.
A specific instrument request allows you to ask for an instrument of your choice - for example, your residents might want a guitar!
Both are applied to through the same form, and you can also request that your Music Box include specific instruments.
-
You can apply for whatever instrument you want! We’ve sent out a variety of instruments, including tamboas, keyboards, guitars, boomwhackers, drums, and xylophones.
-
Absolutely! Feel free to skip the application form and send an email directly.
-
No, we are not a registered non-profit. This initiative is made possible through Aerie’s Changemakers initiative, which provided all of the funding! Learn more on our About Us page.
-
![]()
Learn more about Musicians Found and two other organizations that work with the Aerie Changemakers program.
-
![forbes logo]()
Learn more about the Aerie Changemakers program and the impactful work being done by American and Canadian organizations.
