Maryville Students Host Benefit for Kids Rock Cancer
Music therapy students organized a concert in St. Louis to support the local pediatric music therapy program.
Updated on Oct. 20, 2026 in Philanthropy
Live Poll
Do you believe student-led benefit concerts are an effective way to support local health programs?
On August 22, Maryville University students hosted a benefit concert at the Old Rock House in St. Louis to raise funds for Kids Rock Cancer. The event featured a performance by the Rock Stars band, which is comprised of young participants from the program.
Why it matters
The fundraiser aims to secure ongoing support for Kids Rock Cancer, a program that provides cost-free music therapy services to children at pediatric cancer centers. It also helps increase public visibility for the therapeutic benefits of musical engagement for youth facing health challenges.
Since its inception, Kids Rock Cancer has empowered 2,000 children and facilitated the creation of 1,500 original songs. The program reports that more than 475 children have achieved positive therapeutic outcomes through these services.
The players
Maryville University
A private university based in St. Louis that hosts an active music therapy program for students.
Kids Rock Cancer
A program providing free music therapy services to children at pediatric cancer centers.
Old Rock House
A well-known music venue located in St. Louis that hosts local and national touring acts.
The details
Maryville University students managed the entire event planning process, which included securing seed money for venue rentals and recruiting local bands to perform. The concert featured the Rock Stars band, a musical group consisting of children ages 5 to 12 who have participated in the program.
Timeline
Students began raising seed money for the event in Spring 2026.
The benefit concert took place at the Old Rock House on August 22, 2026.
Market Landscape
The student-led concert follows a pattern of community-driven fundraising established by the program to sustain its clinical operations. This initiative extends the Kids Rock Cancer therapeutic outcomes benchmark by providing new financial support for future sessions.
The program provides all music therapy services free of charge to families with children at pediatric cancer centers. Residents interested in supporting the initiative can follow the progress of the program or contribute to future fundraising efforts.
The takeaway
Music therapy provides a creative outlet for children dealing with cancer, often resulting in tangible therapeutic milestones. Those interested in supporting similar programs can explore how student-led fundraisers contribute to sustainable care for pediatric patients.
Further reading
Find more local initiatives in St. Louis Philanthropy.
Source note: This article includes information reported by STLtoday.
Live Poll
Do you believe student-led benefit concerts are an effective way to support local health programs?
