The Sounds of Music in Thornton By Michael Freyta, City of Thornton
Music has the power to heal, it provides hope, it nourishes souls, and it brings people together from diverse backgrounds. It can serve as a ‘survival tool’ when times get tough. Knowing this, Thornton community member and Parks and Recreation employee, Michael Freyta approached the Thornton Active Adult Center about starting a drop-in music group for Thornton seniors. He
26 • Colorado Byline | Summer 2022
wanted to help reignite musical talents and provide a creative outlet for those still up to strumming a few notes. For seven Thornton residents, this idea sparked immediate joy. They dusted off their guitars and vocal cords to meet at the Active Adult Center on Friday afternoons to jam out! Since the group started, the recreational musicians have formed a bond sharing their favorite
songs, learning to read music again, and for first time musician Mark Betts, learning to play percussion instruments from scratch. What felt intimidating at first has shifted toward second nature again as the group, now named Strings & Things, has begun to create a musical portfolio of which they practice weekly. The group members have all brought their
