The Silver Linings at Birchtree

 

On March 31st, The Birchtree Center's students with autism enjoyed a concert by The Silver Linings, a group of twenty-four singers and instrumentalists from Oyster River Middle School.

During their visit to Birchtree, the seventh-grade musicians performed a half-hour program under the direction of music teacher David Ervin.  Birchtree's students smiled, clapped, and moved to the rhythm of current hits and classic tunes including "Somewhere Over The Rainbow" and "Imagine."

After the concert, our students got the chance to thank the performers and look more closely at the instruments.

Birchtree's music instructor and music therapist, Virginia Macdonald, helped prepare our students to attend the concert.  During their music lessons in March, students listened to recordings of songs on the program. 

The concert provided the perfect conclusion to Music in Our Schools Month and reminded us all of the power of music to foster communication and learning.  We thank The Silver Linings for helping our students with autism practice the skills they will need to enjoy a lifetime of music appreciation.