Adults with intellectual disabilities interacted with music therapy students from William Carey University Saturday in Columbia as part of a day-long retreat.
Camp Rocky Creek, held at Pine Belt Graphics on Broad Street, uses live music to help with things like motor skills, movement and expressing emotions.
Participants rotated between four music therapy groups led by students that included things like beating rhythms on drums, guessing songs based on the tune and a blues workshop.
Jim Pierce, associate professor of music therapy, said it’s not entertainment nor education but rather helps reach individual therapy goals based on evidence-based research. They use live music, not recorded, and it’s typically a guitar but varies based on patient preferences.
Peyton Davis, assistant professor, said music therapy addresses all aspects of the person and helps them feel connected.
William Carey has one of two music therapy programs in the state and by far the longest standing, dating back more than 45 years and making up more than a third of William Carey’s music department. Pierce described it as a “ridiculously hard” curriculum that includes music and psychology.
The camp has been going for 29 years and has been in Columbia since 2012.
“The facility is great, the town is great and it’s a central location for other counties to come to,” Pierce said.
Pictured Above: Mary Morrison, left, and Melanie Soldine, music therapy students at William Carey University, laugh with participants in Camp Rocky Creek Saturday at Pine Belt Graphics. Morrison is a Columbia High School graduate. The camp for adults with intellectual disabilities has been going on for 29 years and has been held in Columbia since 2012. | Photo by Charlie Smith
