The Fitzhugh - Jasper's Newspaper

Jasper's seniors were treated to the soothing sounds of Marilyn Bulger's harp at the Alpine Summit Seniors Lodge on Oct. 22. Bulger was in Jasper on Friday to perform Harp Therapy for seniors that attended for an hour. The event attracted residents of the Lodge and all over Jasper. Tracy Jackson, seniors outreach worker with Community Outreach Services (COS) said the therapy was very well received.

"All the talking afterward, they really enjoyed it," she said. "It seems it had such a good response."

The therapy was brought to Jasper as a partnership between the Alpine Summit Seniors Lodge and COS.

"It is such a lovely venue," Jackson said.

Jackson said the harp has historically been a symbol of calmness, and has been shown to promote healing. The session provided relaxation and enjoyment to the residents and other guests. Bulger said the harp's strings are what provide the soothing qualities.

"It's using the unique resonance of the harp, which is very close to the resonance of the human body," she said.

The resonance can help speed up or slow down a heart beat. Bulger customizes each session to the individual. If she is performing for a group, she tries to read what they need. At the Jasper session, she played a variety of upbeat and slower tunes. "I didn't want to just put them to sleep," she said, explaining the faster-paced songs.

Bulger has been playing the harp for 11 years, and provides therapy out of Hinton to patients in palliative care, home care, seniors, adult day programs, and hopes to start working with children with Autism and Fetal Alcohol Syndrome.

For more information on Harp Therapy, Bulger can be contacted at 780-865-4148.