Archbold Auxiliary Debuts Music Therapy Program

The main lobby at Archbold Memorial will soon sound a little brighter thanks to a new music therapy program spearheaded by the Archbold Auxiliary.

The Archbold Auxiliary is a dedicated group of men and women, selflessly serving since the hospital first opened in 1925, who assist departments, comfort patients and family members, and greet visitors at the information desk.

Archbold Director of Volunteer Services Bonnie Hayes recently brought the idea for the music therapy program to the Archbold Auxiliary Board, which agreed to fund the purchase of a new piano for the hospital.

“When it was time to pick the perfect piano, we had just the man for the job,” said Hayes. 

Bentley Shellahamer (right), an Auxiliary volunteer at the Lewis Hall Singletary Archbold Cancer Center, served as Director of the Florida State University Marching Chiefs and Assistant Dean of the FSU College of Music for many years. Now retired and living in Thomasville, Shellahamer enjoys giving back to Archbold and the community he calls home.

After finding a piano that fit the necessary criteria, a Yamaha Disklavier baby grand, Shellahamer drove to Columbia, SC, to meet the former owner and test the piano. Finding it satisfactory, the piano was purchased with a donation from the Archbold Auxiliary and delivered to the main lobby at Archbold Memorial, where it now resides.

“We are excited to begin the music therapy program and bring a little joy and peace to an environment that often feels stressful for visitors and patients,” said Hayes. “We encourage you to reach out if you are interested in sharing your talents here at Archbold.”

Over the next year, Archbold and the FSU College of Music will partner to provide music therapy in the hospital. The Archbold Auxiliary will also work with qualified local musicians to create opportunities to perform and provide support to family members and loved ones visiting the hospital. Musicians interested in performing can contact Bonnie Hayes by emailing bwhayes@archbold.org.

Pictured: Archbold Auxiliary Board Members Cynthia Stephens, Nelda Rome, Leigh Ross, and Harriett Loehne; Archbold Auxiliary President, Pat Jones; Director of Volunteer Services, Bonnie Hayes; Archbold Auxiliary Board Members Lessie Tillman, and Julia Sawyer; and Archbold Auxiliary Member Bentley Shellahamer