Rhythm & Relief Launches To Support Music Therapy Organizations

Music is a force for good, both culturally and health-wise, and it’s been scientifically proven that music can help reduce physical ailments and symptoms of mental illness. A new umbrella charity called Rhythm & Relief aims to support organizations that harness the healing power of music.

Rhythm & Relief, which just launched during Mental Health Awareness Month, was founded by Glen Ward, who previously served as CEO of Virgin Entertainment Group in North America and was chairman of the Music Business Association. Such a nonprofit dedicated to funding various music therapy and intervention programs under one banner is the first of its kind.

 “We created Rhythm & Relief to amplify the magnificent work of organizations using music to comfort, calm, and heal people in need—from seniors and veterans to trauma survivors and individuals battling chronic illnesses,” Glen Ward, president of Rhythm & Relief, said in a statement. “We’ve all experienced how music moves us. Now it’s time to re-educate the world as to its healing power.” 

Rhythm & Relief is based in Los Angeles and was born amid a growing public health crisis. Nearly 60 million adults in the U.S. experience mental illness and approximately 24% suffer from chronic pain, and the nonprofit will help fund music-based therapeutic programs that help people cope with these challenges.

The organization will produce fundraising initiatives and events—such as exclusive products, record releases, intimate livestreams and concerts—through partnerships with the music and entertainment industries to raise awareness and money for nonprofits like Music for All Seasons, Music & Memory, Music 4 Seniors, Songwriting With: Soldiers, Sounds of Saving and Voices of Valor. The member organizations provide many services, ranging from providing personalized playlists for dementia patients to songwriting sessions for military veterans to music therapy workshops for teens and seniors.

“The music industry has always been benevolent by nature, but why wait for a disaster before we all rally?” Ward said. “Rhythm & Relief aims to make supporting music-based healing programs a permanent fixture within the philanthropic community, giving millions of people new hope.”

With a distinguished board of directors who boast experience in live events, music and philanthropy, Rhythm & Relief is looking to expand globally into the U.K. later this year.