"The Rusk Chimers" Perform in Flag Day Celebration to Honor U.S. Military Veterans

On June 14, 2005, The Rusk Institute of Rehabilitation Medicine hosted "Children Coming Together: A Musical Celebration of Hope, Healing, and Happiness." The collaborative concert featured patients from NYU Medical Center and members of the Children's Orchestra Society, Inc., and Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts Programs for People with Disabilities. Under the direction of Laura Letchworth, MT-BC, music therapist at Rusk and the Hassenfeld Children's Center, fifteen children performed as members of "The Rusk Chimers," a chime choir Ms. Letchworth started last year. Dr. Mathew Lee, who chaired the event, brought these three organizations together to celebrate Flag Day and honor United States Military Veterans, three of whom came to receive a tribute from the children.

There were five musical performances-two by The Rusk Chimers, two by The Children's Orchestra Society, and one, "America the Beautiful," by both groups together.

In attendance were hospital employees, family members, members of the community, and Rusk adult patients and family members. It was a beautiful collaboration between the two groups of children and our hope is to make this an annual event.

The NYU Medical Center chime choir will rehearse throughout the year so that the physically challenged patients can continue to experience the joy of participating in a live music performance.