NW Works Chimers

In partnership with Shenandoah University’s Music Therapy Association, the NW Works Chimers are a musical group comprised of adults with disabilities and volunteer musicians from Shenandoah. The group was founded in 1993 and has been going strong ever since!

The Chimers meet weekly to practice and perform tone chime music, learning critical skills along the way. We conclude each semester with a public concert at Shenandoah University alongside conservatory students.

For Spring 2024: Chimers rehearse Wednesdays from 6:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. in Ruebush Hall, Room 128. Please complete the embedded forms and return to NW Works at 3085 Shawnee Drive, Winchester VA 22601.

A woman is standing with her arms raised over her head. She is waving to the crowd and smiling. She is dressed in concert attire for the Chimers program and is in a white dress shirt, black dress pants and wearing a red cummerbund and red bowtie.

What is Music Therapy?

Music Therapy is a form of therapeutic intervention which uses music to address behavioral, social, psychological, communicative, physical, sensory-motor, and/or cognitive functioning. According to the American Music Therapy Association, “because music therapy is a powerful and non-threatening medium, unique outcomes are possible.” Music therapist and Shenandoah University professor Fredrica Dooley-Brown, MT-BC, works with NW Works participants and students, to ensure the relationship is beneficial for both parties.

Sponsor a Chimer

For some of our participants the fee to participate is a major barrier. Therefore, in an effort to continue providing this important service to our participants, we welcome sponsorships from the public. You can give the gift of music for a whole semester. Please be sure to indicate that you are supporting the Chimers with your donation.

Sponsor a Chimer today!

Three caucasian women sit together and smile. The woman on the right is directing the woman in the middle when to play. The woman in the middle and on the right are both holding chimes.
A close up of a woman holding chimes is shown. She is concentrating. There is a woman next to her, also with chimes, who is looking up at the director who is not shown.

Image Credit: Jeff Taylor/Winchester Star