Isaac's Day Of Music Celebrates Healing Power Of Music
The life of Isaac Miller was celebrated through music, song, and joy during the fifth annual Isaac’s Day of Music held at First Christian Church in Newburgh on Nov. 13.
The healing power of music was celebrated through performances by local vocal and instrumental music groups, dance groups and storytellers. The day also included inflatables, craft and activity tables sponsored by local organizations, and food sales.
“Music was something that was really important to him throughout his life,” Amy Miller said. “We wanted to do something for our community that would give more kids access to music education and therapy.”
Isaac’s parents, Matt and Amy Miller, with the help of family members and friends, organize the annual Isaac’s Day of Music to raise money for the Isaac Miller Music Matters Endowment Fund. Isaac died at the age of 4 in 2010 after an 18-month battle with cancer. Matt Miller is Director of Worship for the Diocese of Evansville.
“He was diagnosed with non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma just after his third birthday,” Amy said. “We did parent music education classes called Music Together.” Music Together, a group therapy course in Evansville and music therapy through Riley Children’s Hospital in Indianapolis, helped during a very difficult time for the family.
The Millers, who have experienced what it’s like to grieve a life taken too soon, began the fifth annual Isaac’s Day of Music by reaching out to community members and asking to share the day remembering another local family. Sophie Rinehart, 17, her father David Rinehart, 46, and his mother Ruth Ann Rinehart, 74, were killed in a car accident while driving back to Newburgh from Indianapolis early Sunday morning.
The Isaac Miller Music Matters Endowment Fund, established by the family and friends of Isaac Miller to help others enjoy music and benefit from music therapy, is part of the Warrick County Community Foundation. All money raised through Isaac’s Day of Music is used to fund community projects that directly benefit local children through music. Previous projects include adding outdoor musical instruments to the St. Bernard school playground, and assisting St. Benedict school to purchase a new keyboard, among many others.
For more information about the Isaac Miller Music Matters Fund and Isaac’s Day of Music, visit www.musicmattersfund.blogspot.com, facebook.com/MusicMattersEndowmentFund or contact 812-760-1575 or musicmattersfund@gmail.com.
