A place for music at Mott: Sophie’s Place

Sophie Rose Barton was a young singer/songwriter and music volunteer for Primary Children’s Hospital in Salt Lake City, Utah. She truly believed that she could help people and change the world with her music.  Unfortunately, Sophie unexpectedly passed away at the age of 17. 

Thanks to Sophie’s family, Mott Golf Classic, the Forever Young Foundation, and other generous community supporters, Sophie’s legacy lives on through special music therapy programs being developed at children’s hospitals around the nation. 

What is Sophie's Place

Sophie’s Place at C.S. Mott Children’s Hospital, the sixth in the nation, is a dedicated music therapy environment to promote creative expression, safety, and solace for patients and their families throughout the healing process. 

Wrap around bench with pillows with musical insturments displayed in a case behind the bench.

The mission of Sophie’s Place is to provide exemplary music therapy services to patients and families to enhance the physical, emotional and psychological needs of each patient. 

Sophie’s Place at C.S. Mott Children’s Hospital includes a state-of-the-art recording studio, music and technology advancements, and a variety of instruments for clinical use.

Monitors, keyboard and sound system to create music

Expanded music therapy experience

Sophie’s Place will offer a number of expanded music therapy experiences to patients and families, including: 

  • opportunities for patients to record their music – and, if the patient chooses – to share their music with other patients and families 

  • opportunities for patients and caregivers interested in “behind the scenes” recording studio experiences, designed to give patients an inside look at music production and the use of recording equipment 

  • protected space for individual and group music therapy sessions in addition to the bedside music therapy sessions offered today 

  • specialized programming designed for families and caregivers to promote positive coping and normalization of environment  

  • staff support and engagement opportunities 

  • Expanded Music-based virtual programming to promote connection, engagement, and socialization. 

  • space for celebrity and community music performances, with capabilities for live-streaming performances through the hospital’s closed-circuit TV network for patients unable to leave their rooms 

Most importantly, Sophie’s Place will allow for the music therapy team to increase the amount of music therapy services provided to patients and families. 

Support Sophie's Place

Donate online or talk with our development team about how your group or organization can support Sophie’s Place at C.S. Mott Children’s Hospital.