A music therapy partnership with a local nonprofit has provided MOBOCES with a unique way to address a variety needs of its elementary students.

The partnership, which began in late 2021, brings in a music therapist from KEYS, a nonprofit in Sherrill that uses music experiences to support children and families affected by cancer and serious illnesses. The therapist, Blake Propst, visits every other week to work with K-7 students, performing engaging and interactive songs to teach and reinforce social-emotional, cognitive, coping and physical skills. Students
have opportunities to sing, listen and play instruments.

“Blake does a great job of engaging every single student he comes across, and does it across a very diverse array of classrooms,” Elementary Principal William Mecum said. “He’s great at collaborating with the teachers, and the teachers are constantly asking for more time with the KEYS Program.”

The program launched in 2021, as a remote learning experience during the pandemic. The following school year, it transitioned to an in-person offering and has continued ever since.

Music therapy differs from the more traditional music education that MOBOCES offers. Music teacher Jack Chesebro said it is a valuable complement to the general and instrumental music programs he teaches.

“Adding music therapy has been such an important part of our whole-child, student-centered philosophy,” he said. “It supplements the work I do because the therapists touch on a different skill set. They’re focused on allowing students to be more in touch with their emotions through performance of different songs and activities. It also gives the students a chance to interact with a musician other than myself and see someone else that enjoys making music.”