Information
THE “MAGIC GARDEN” IS also A PROFESSIONAL PRACTICE AND CONSULTING COMPANY.
We work with a team of physicians and other health and education providers offering Music Therapy services to children with special needs and disabilities as well as their families. As a Consulting Company, we conduct workshops and training sessions for musicians, educators and other professionals working with children with various disabilities in the use of music as therapy.
OUR ORIGIN
Edith S. Hitchen created the “Magic Garden” at a school in Harlem, New York City, where children with multiple disabilities went to school.
Ages 4.9 to 21, these children, aside from being economically disadvantaged, presented a multitude of challenges ranging from visual and hearing impairments, autism, mental retardation, cerebral palsy, muscular dystrophy, and emotional disturbance.
The Head of School, Mr. Frank Reehill, knew about Music Therapy and believed in the power of music and what it can contribute to the lives of these children.
"He witnessed first hand the children’s transformation in Music Therapy."
With a few dollars raised doing a rummage sale to purchase some instruments, and the whole hearted confidence of Mr. Reehill, Edith proceeded to create the “Magic Garden”.
The “Magic Garden” needed a lot of work. There were forces that were opposed to the “Magic Garden”. The children were pure and innocent in their own world. But many were angry, depressed, in pain, having difficulty eating, speaking and walking. Some were aware of their impending death, some were abandoned and some experienced neglect and abuse. They all came to the ”Magic Garden”. And the transformation happened in “The Magic Garden”. These are their stories.
OUR OBJECTIVE
To illuminate the efficacy of Music Therapy in the social, emotional, psychological and educational development of children with disabilities.
OUR MISSION
To establish a Global Foundation to support a Music Therapy Center for disadvantaged and handicapped children.
PHYSIOLOGICAL AND NEUROLOGICAL BASIS OF THE EFFICACY OF MUSIC THERAPY
"The effects of music in the brain have been vastly explored and investigated. The unprecedented collusion of art and science have never been so explicit and remarkably illuminating! Babies calm down to soothing melodies of lullabies sung to them. Music restore memories of life’s past events. Music inspires courage and patriotic feelings for one’s country. With Music Therapy, children with autism and other behavior disorders demonstrate remarkable improvement in their social and attentive skills that contribute significantly to educational gains. Listening to music coordinates more disparate parts of the brain than most anything else- and playing music even more.”
- Daniel J. Levitin, “This is Your Brain on Music”