Many kinds of venues are suitable for COMPs, including nursing homes, retirement communities, hospitals, schools, and mental institutions.

Wherever we go, our basic aim is the same. Not to give a performance in the regular sense, but to bring out the music which everyone has inside them. Participants are encouraged to share their music-making with each other.

When this is done, the benefits are profound. In a general way, people’s lives are enhanced through the altruistic expression of their inner creativity.

There are, however, many observable benefits to residents including:

• Increased sociability with staff members and other residents
• Increased alertness and involvement with life
• Improved thought-processing and memory functioning
• Improved mood and outlook.

In so many cases COMPs are best way to “reach” consumers unresponsive, or only partially responsive, to regular therapies.

How Long, How Often, How Many and How Much

How Long? An individual music outreach usually lasts between one and two hours. COMPs can be one-offs or a permanent part of a health-care community—or anything in between. The longer the program runs, the greater the benefits.

How Often? We usually recommend once a week, but there are many reasons for running a COMP more or less often.

How Many? COMPs work for a wide variety of different group sizes—anywhere from a few individuals to groups of seventy-five or even more.

How Much? Our costs depend on a number of factors—the length of the COMP, the number of therapists involved, frequency of visits, amount of travel etc. Our prices are always fair, and in general COMPs are a highly cost-effective means of bringing the benefits of music to your community.