Tyler’s Seasonal Notes

Dear Friends and Family,

5 Points Music Foundation has come a long way from just an idea with a spreadsheet and sketchpad. Since opening the doors in early 2017, we have hosted nearly 200 live events featuring musical performances that SWVA residents have been aching for. We brought together a unique lineup of performers from all genres and all walks of life. We are causing heads to turn when they mention our name and we are creating a unique place in a unique moment in time where SWVA is seeing tourism emerge as a pillar in our regional economy. Where healthcare and medical research are incredibly vital components of our economic vitality and where the cultural lights of SWVA beckon from above as places where memories are made, stories are told and moments are shared. We have shared in the magic of our live events with guests from Amsterdam, Canada, Hawaii, Antigua, 28 states and beyond. We have featured artists from far-away places like France, Mali, Senegal, Canada, and throughout the 50 states who come to Roanoke and SWVA, some for the first time, and leave with a feeling unlike any other. Artists are quick to remind us and our audiences about how special our approach is and are only too eager to come back and share in the magic of the Sanctuary. With all of this, we are always mindful of the real reason we do what we do. We are here to explore the power of sound through live events that help us fund and promote programs like music therapy and hearing loss advocacy. The message we share is not a regional message. It’s not a local message. It’s a global message. One inspired by the power of a united audience. Inspired by vibrations of our loved one’s soothing words of comfort. Shaped by our desire to remind ourselves of the fleeting nature of life and expanded up by knowing that the power of sound is not just about what we hear. It’s also about what we see, what we feel and what we share collectively.

To advance the cause of our mission, we are building programs that are designed to scale in markets beyond Southwest Virginia. We are working to expand on all that we do because we know that the power of our message should not be limited to the 250 people who choose to attend a show at the Sanctuary. Rather, the real power of our message is how we use the energy and magic of our events and programs to reach an audience of 250,000 and more! To do this, we are working with organizations and strategic partners to align our goals and effectively leverage each other’s resources to achieve them. With strategic partnerships in Charlottesville, Richmond, Lynchburg, and the New River Valley, we are working to strengthen our music therapy program, while further developing Soundfriendly.com, which serves as the platform for our hearing loss advocacy efforts. Below outlines the current goals we have for our program development.

MUSIC THERAPY PROGRAM

Currently, we sustainably fund and provide free Group Music Therapy each quarter and then offer 1 individual from each group an additional 4 weeks of Individual Music Therapy. Since 2017, we have provided free music therapy to 71 clients over the course of 35 sessions.

PROBLEM- ACCESS TO OUR MUSIC THERAPY PROGRAM HAS BEEN LIMITED TO THE AGES/NEEDS SELECTED FOR EACH FREE GROUP THERAPY SESSION

ASSESSED NEED While we have served various age groups with various special needs, ranging from 3 year olds with Down Syndrome to Veterans with PTSD and everywhere in between, we have had many requests for access to our program but don’t fit in terms of age/special need. The issue is providing access to all ages with a variety of special needs as these requests arise throughout the year.
TACTIC We want to expand access to individual music therapy sessions for various age groups with various special needs on an ongoing basis. Applicants will register online to apply and be awarded funding using the same method used for our Group Therapy program. Clients receive 6 weeks Individual Music Therapy that is tailored to their special needs following a self-assessment with our Music Therapy providers. Each 6 week program costs $500 per client.
2019 PROGRAM GOALS We would like to offer 10 clients funding for our program.
FUNDING GOAL $5,000

SOUNDFRIENDLY.COM

Hearing loss advocacy is a critical point of emphasis for us this year. We aim to complete the build out of our Soundfriendly.com website, while expanding outreach efforts to strengthen existing relationships and foster new ones. In 2018, we gave away 1100 pairs of ear plugs. We gave over 500 Subpac Demos at our events, while providing over 26 individuals with accessibility accommodations during our events including interpreting, preferred seating, and additional support.

PROBLEM- OVER 38 MILLION AMERICANS HAVE HEARING LOSS. SOME OF IT IS WORK RELATED, SOME GENETICALLY INFLUENCED, AND SOME OF IT NOISE INDUCED. FESTIVALS AND LIVE EVENTS REPRESENT A KEY AREA WHERE PEOPLE ARE AT RISK AS THE NORMAL SOUND LEVELS AND DURATION OF EXPOSURE TO THEM INCREASES THE RISK OF HEARING LOSS. IN ORDER TO PROTECT THE LONG TERM HEALTH OF CONCERT GOERS, STAFF, AND TIME EXPOSED TO LOUD MUSIC IS OF DIRECT CONCERN REGARDING THE RISK OF HEARING LOSS. OVER THE COURSE OF MULTIPLE DAYS, SOME DAMAGE MAY BE IRREVERSIBLE.

NEED Festivals and live events target a key audience that is at risk for hearing loss. Sound levels at festivals and live events are part of the issue, but the duration of exposure is just as critical. Just as festivals, businesses, and individuals have embraced sustainability through recycling programs, buy local, and green practices, we believe that protecting the hearing of workers, volunteers, audiences, and performers needs to be a critical component of live event planning.
TACTIC As such, we are working with festivals, venues, and other to help reduce the risk of hearing loss, improve accessibility, and expand on how we make our world more Soundfriendly to the 38 million individuals in the US with hearing loss. We have partnered with organizations like Innova Disc Golf to create Soundfriendly Disc Golf Station with free hearing protection, promotional/educational material, incorporating other Soundfriendly ideas and will strategically place these stations throughout festival sites. We are working to assist in procuring and providing ASL interpreters for guests and performances, free mobile hearing screenings, Subpac Demos and Silent Disco Sponsorships, among other efforts.
PROGRAM GOALS Provide: 5000 Ear Plug Giveaways | 50 Free Hearing Screenings | 1000 Subpac Demos | 5 Soundfriendly Site Visits to help venue and event organizers reduce the risk of hearing loss
2019 FUNDING GOAL $12,500

PROBLEM- IMPROVE ACCESSIBILITY TO LIVE PERFORMANCES FOR THOSE WITH HEARING LOSS

ASSESSED NEED We have received numerous requests for information on how to hire ASL interpreters to do performance services for live events. While there are state listings and programs available, some event organizers and venue managers struggle with funding interpreting services due to high costs for performance interpreting due to prep time and travel, among other reasons.
TACTIC In 2019, we want to provide funding and support for 10 or more ASL interpreting performances/services at regional concerts, festivals, and special events. Our role will be to connect interpreters with performance requests, funding support, and to consult with client about how to properly leverage investments designed to make their venue more Soundfriendly. We aim to create a set of best practices for scaling this service so that it can be done in markets beyond SWVA.
2019 PROGRAM GOALS Provide ASL interpreters for at least 10 performances/events; develop database of ASL Performers through several strategic partnerships and establish best practices for ongoing management and scaling.
2019 FUNDING GOAL– $5,000

PROBLEM- SOUNDFRIENDLY.COM NEEDS TO EXPAND ITS BRAND AWARENESS THROUGH MARKETING AND PR RELATED ACTIVITIES. 2ND PHASE OF WEBSITE DEVELOPMENT NEEDS TO BE COMPLETED AND ADDITIONAL STAFFING MAY BE NEEDED TO SUPPORT OUR EXPANDING EFFORTS.

ASSESSED NEED The current development of this program requires additional marketing support for website, branding strategy, and content marketing strategy. Implementation of these strategies will likely require additional staffing or outside support.
TACTIC IN 2018, we began developing Soundfriendly.com to serve as the vehicle for our hearing loss programs. 5pointsmusic.com serves as the primary site for live events, venue rentals, and our general information. Soundfriendly.com will ultimately serve as a resource for helping businesses, event organizers, venues, and others in reducing the risk of hearing loss in the workplace and beyond. The site serves as a place to request services like Soundfriendly Consultations.
2019 PROGRAM GOALS Fully developed website, actively managed content marketing plan, website traffic improvements, Secure at least 10 speaking engagements at relevant conferences and or special events.
2019 FUNDING GOAL $12,500

Please help by DONATING TODAY AT:

https://rvgives.givebig.org/c/rvgives/a/5pointsmusic

Thank you all for helping us get to where we are today! Know that we have much more to do and know that we are committed to honoring your support with an unmatched passion and commitment to advancing our mission of pursuing the power of sound in all it’s glory!