The Healing Power Of Music: Concert To Benefit Alzheimer’s Research

BRIDGEWATER — Jenna Bollard, a senior at Shepaug Valley High School in Washington, will present a family concert on Saturday, May 12, at Bridgewater Pavilion. The pavilion is next to the baseball diamond, pond and soccer field at the town park at 28 Sarah Sanford Road East.

Attendees are invited to bring a picnic basket and their own seating for a two-plus hour performance by Miss Bollard, who is in the midst of her senior high school project, called “Exploring the Healing Powers of Music.”

Miss Bollard created her project after witnessing the restorative power of music for her grandfather when he was in his last stages of Alzheimer’s Disease.

“Determined to find out just what it is about music that can reach human beings even when they are so ill, I began to study the career of music therapy,” said Jenna. For her project, Jenna shadowed music therapists, performed for patients at the West Hartford Hebrew Home, and worked with music therapists in chant circles, hospitals, private homes and assisted living homes.

She also recorded a CD of original compositions titled Jenna Bollard: Falling Into Place. This CD has 14 tracks and they have been selling well since being introduced in her community recently. Copies will be available during the concert, and they are $10 each. All proceeds from the album sales are going towards Alzheimer’s Disease research.

This weekend’s concert will be picnic style. Families are encouraged. Attendees will be treated to a performance of folk, blues, jazz and pop music. The event will run from 3 to 5:30 pm. Jenna will be performing with friends Tom Kean and Conor Calabro, both of whom are featured on her CD, and will also be performing a number of songs on her own.

There is no admission for the concert, but donations will be accepted and all will benefit Alzheimer’s Disease research. Jenna has partnered with the local Associated Neurologists program in Danbury, Southbury and Waterbury.

For additional information visit JennaBollard.com, send e-mail to JensMusic@JennaBollard.com, or call 860-213-2362.