1. +
Intergenerational
ROCK BAND
By: Patricia Parnell, Whitney Brown, & Sara
Lowe

2. +
What Is Intergenerational Rock
Band?

3. + Intergenerational Rock
Band brings many
Mature learners to sing
with Drury University
Music Therapy students.

4. +
Who’s in charge?
 Dr. Natalie Wlodarczyk
 Assistant Professor in Music Therapy at
Drury University
 Has a passion for working with
Alzheimer's patients, and connecting with
them though music.
 B.M.E. (2001) Stetson University M.M.
(2003) The Florida State University Ph.D.
(2010) The Florida State University

5. +
Intergenerational Rock Band
 There are only 3 Intergenerational Rock Bands in the
Nation located at the Florida State, University of Missouri
Kansas City and Drury University.
 Intergenerational Rock Band is bringing different
generations together and giving each other a more
positive outlook on the others generation and views while
also increasing self esteem.

6. +
Many of the seniors
suffer from dementia
and often do not recall
being apart of
intergenerational Rock
Band…until the music
begins.
The part of the brain known as the medial pre-frontal
cortex sits just behind the forehead and is where music
memory is stored, which is a separate part of the brain
where other lifetime memory is stored allowing the
seniors to join right in once the music begins.

7. +

8. +
What is Music Therapy?
Music therapy started as a way to
work with returning veterans coming
back after WWII with post-traumatic
stress disorder. A way to physically
rehabilitate them using music.
Music therapy represents a low cost
intervention with a wide range of
benefits including improvements on
measures of anxiety and depression,
autobiographical memory recall, and a
variety of cognitive functions.

9. +
What it takes to become a
professional in music therapy
MTHP 101: Field Studies I MTHP 102: Music
Therapy Orientation and Accountability MTHP
130: Beginning Class Guitar MTHP 131:
Intermediate Class Guitar MTHP 140: Music and
Developmental Disabilities MTHP 201: Field
Studies II MTHP 202: Medical Music
Therapy MTHP 205: Music Therapy in Geriatrics
Hospice and Bereavement MTHP 301: Field
Studies III MTHP 310: Recreational
Music MTHP 315: Behavior Measurement and
Ethics MTHP 380, 480 Music Therapy
Internship MTHP 401: Field Studies IV MTHP
405 Psychology of Music MTHP 425: Research
and Statistics

10. +
Courses continued…
MUSC 105: Recital Attendance (8 semesters
required) MUSC 108: Percussion Class MUSC
117: Music Theory I MUSC 118: Music Theory II
MUSC 120: Voice Class MUSC 121: Ear
Training and Sight Singing I MUSC 122: Ear
Training and Sight Singing II MUSC 211:
Sophomore Review MUSC 217: Music Theory III
MUSC 218: Music Theory IV MUSC 219: Ear
Training and Sight Singing III MUSC 220: Ear
Training and Sight Singing IV MUSC 310:
Recreational Music MUSC 321: History of Music
I MUSC 322: History of Music II MUSC 356:
Conducting

11. +
Music Therapy is an effective
aid for:
 Stress/Pain Management
 Relaxation
 Motor Coordination
 Socialization
 Treatment Tolerance
 Expression of Emotion
 Anxiety Reduction
 Sensory/ Cognitive stimulation
 Improving Quality of life

12. +
Music Therapy students primary
musical talent:
Voice
Classical instrument
Piano
Guitar

13. +
Students role in intergenerational
rock band:
 Coordinate the music
 Teach seniors the music
 Make the seniors feel confortable to express themselves
through music
 Answer any questions the seniors may have
 Most importantly the bond created between students and
seniors

14. +
More than Physical Benefits…
Students reported having a 75% better
feeling and opinion towards seniors after
the experience of Intergenerational Rock
Band

15. +
Students joy from Intergenerational
Rock Band
Chelsea Wells (Junior)
“Intergenerational rock band is the
highlight of my week! I leave in
such a better mood then when I
walk in.”
Emma Wheat’s favorite part of
intergenerational rock band is
“The transformation from the first
week of practice to the final show”
– Emma Wheat (Junior)

16. +
Connecting generations with music
The music chosen for intergenerational
rock band from all genres and eras
including current pop sensation Katie
Perry all the way back to the Doobie
Brothers.

17. +
Spring Concert
 Intergenerational Rock Band will be performing 11 songs
this year at the spring show including:
 Roar - Katy Perry
 Taking it to the street -Doobie Brothers
 Eye of the Tiger – Survivor
 Radio Active – Imagine Dragons

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The real stars of the show

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An oldie but a goodie, this
year they will be performing
the Jackson Five I’ll Be there.
Walter Cowart will be
performing a duet.

20. +
Senior joy from intergenerational
rock band
 Walter Cowart (senior) said his favorite song he
has sang in intergenerational rock band has
been Fix you by Coldplay. “Now that’s a really
cool song!”

21. +
Seniors relationship with music
 Old singing groups
 Currently involved in music groups (besides IGRB)
 Love for music

22. +
“Music is the great equalizer” –
Dr. Wlodarczyk

23. +
Practices are held…
 Every Tuesday at 3 P.M.
 O'Bannon Hall
 Seniors & Students
 Ran by Dr. Wlodarczyk
 Music therapy students take turns directing each song

24. +
The band also includes…
 Guitar
 drums
 bass
 piano
 Thunder sticks

25. +
Don’t forget to join in on the
excitement April 22, 2014 at 7:30
P.M. in Clara Thompson!

26. +
Sources
 Drury University (2014) retrieved from.
http://www.drury.edu/du/music/Natalie-Wlodarczyk/
 Drury University (2014) Music Therapy. retrieved from.
http://www.drury.edu/du/music/Drury-University-Center-for-
Music-Therapy-and-Wellness/
 Phsycology Today (2013) retrieved from.
http://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/the-athletes-
way/201311/musical-training-optimizes-brain-function
 Phillip F. Schewe (2013)Live science. Retrieved from.
http://www.livescience.com/7950-music-improves-brain-
function.html