42 | MAY 2 • 2024 
J
N

faces&places

A 

recent evening for the 
people JARC serves 
was spent enjoying 
the musical stylings of the Troy 
Metro Symphony Orchestra 
Brass Quintet. JARC, a non-
profit serving adults with devel-
opmental disabilities in Metro 
Detroit, partnered with the 
local musical group to present 
a private, virtual concert for the 
people they serve.
The lively evening was filled 
with singing and dancing and 
many smiles from the indi-
viduals from the nine JARC 
homes who attended the virtual 
concert from their homes. The 
quintet played an assortment of 
popular music, including songs 
like “Sweet Caroline,
” “
Ain’t 
That a Kick in the Head” and 
“Can’t Help Falling in Love.
”
JARC’s mission is to enrich 
the lives of individuals with dis-
abilities, which is made possible 
through the creation of inclu-
sive opportunities. Attending 
live music performances is 
not often accessible for adults 
with developmental disabil-
ities as noise levels and large 
crowds of people may cause 

overstimulation. However, 
numerous studies have shown 
that music has several benefits 
for individuals with disabilities, 
including increased communi-
cation skills, improved mood 
and emotional regulation, and 
opportunities for self-expres-
sion.
Founded in 2020, the brass 
quintet consists of Austin 
Flowers and Joe Robertson on 
trumpets, Ross Harmon on 
French horn, Paul Yee on trom-
bone and Melanie Hutchings 
on tuba. JARC is grateful to 
organizations such as the Troy 
Metro Symphony Orchestra 
Brass Quintet for their support 
in creating these opportunities 
for the people they serve, which 
help eliminate accessibility 
barriers, allowing individuals 
to take breaks as needed and 
enjoy events in the company of 
their friends. 

If you or someone you know works for 

an organization that may be interested 

in partnering with JARC to bring more 

activities like this one to the people 

JARC serves, please contact Jessica 

at jessicatierney@jarc.org or call (248) 

940-2607.

JARC Audience 
Grooves to the 
Music of Troy 
Brass Quintet

Troy Metro Brass Quintet 
members Austin Flowers, Joe 
Robertson, Melanie Hutchings, 
Paul Yee and Ross Harmon

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