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Chimers

  • Image of three men of varying ages and races standing side by side, playing metal hand chimes. The man on the right is in focus and watches someone off screen attentively.
    Steven (right), 37, has been with the NW Works Chimers for 16 years. He is shown during rehearsal for the group Wednesday evening at Shenandoah University. Image credit: Jeff Taylor/The Winchester Star.
  • Image of a middle aged caucasian woman, seated, and singing. She has her hands of either side of her mouth, accentuating her singing. Around her, young caucasian women sing and dance. Everyone is wearing a face mask.
    NW Works Hand Chimers Mandy of Winchester (center) sings along as Shenandoah University music therapy students sing and dance to “Y.M.C.A.” by the Village People at the conclusion of the weekly hand chime rehearsal for the NW Works Chimers Wednesday evening at Shenandoah University. Image credit: Jeff Taylor/The Winchester Star.
  • Image of a young caucasian female conductor standing and pointing to a middle aged caucasian woman who is seated and playing hand chimes. In the background, other musicians stand and sit, watching the conductor and the musician.
    Shenandoah University music therapy major Micah Link, a sophomore, cues NW Works hand chimer Becky when it is her turn to play during rehearsal for the NW Works Chimers Wednesday evening at Shenandoah University. Image credit: Jeff Taylor/The Winchester Star.
  • Image of a group of people standing and sitting in a circle in a classroom. Everyone holds metal chimes in their hands, except the conductor in the center of the circle. The conductor points her fingers at musicians to the right hand side of the image, cuing them to play.
    Shenandoah University junior Jamie Shegogue, a music therapy major, cues the NW Works Chimers when it is their turn to play during the weekly rehearsal for the group Wednesday evening at Shenandoah University. Image credit: Jeff Taylor/The Winchester Star.
  • Image of a woman holding two metal hand chimes in her hands. The chime on the left is labeled E5 while the chime on the right is labeled B5.
    Deanna holds her hand chimes as she awaits her cue to play during rehearsal for the NW Works Chimers Wednesday evening at Shenandoah University. Image credit: Jeff Taylor/The Winchester Star.
  • Image of the NW Works Chimers. A large group of people stand side by side on a stage. They are a mix of young and old, able bodied and disabled. Some of the people wear all black clothes, while those toward the center of the group wear white button down shirts, black pants and skirts, and bright red cummerbunds.
    After a great performance in Dec. 2021, the NW Works Chimers and Shenandoah students pose for a photo.
  • Image of Shenandoah Student Farren Winter playin hand chimes with NW Works client Deanna Schwalenberg. Farren is a young caucasian woman with long light brown hair. She is leaning toward Deanna and smiling under her face mask. Deanna is a middle aged caucasian woman with short brown hair. She is leaning toward Farren and smiling.
    Shenandoah University sophomore Farren Winter, a music therapy major, works with NW Works client and hand chimer Deanna Schwalenberg during rehearsal for the NW works Chimers Wednesday evening at Shenandoah University. Image credit: Jeff Taylor/The Winchester Star.

Who Are the 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 concluded each semester with a public concert at Shenandoah University alongside conservatory students.

For Fall 2023: Chimers rehearse Wednesdays from 6:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. in Ruebush Hall, Room 128. The cost of Chimers is $60 per participant per semester. Checks can be made out to NW Works. Please print complete the embedded forms and return to NW Works at 3085 Shawnee Drive, Winchester VA 22601.

Chimers-Participant-FormDownload
NW-Works-Chimers-Waiver-Release-FormDownload

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 clients and students, to ensure the relationship is beneficial for both parties.

One semester of music therapy costs clients $60, or $120 for a full year of the program. For some of our clients however, this fee is a major barrier. Therefore, in an effort to continue providing this important service to our clients, we welcome sponsorships from the public. With just $60, 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!

Contact Us

3085 Shawnee Dr.
Winchester, VA 22602
USA
info@nwworks.com
(540)-667-0809