The music workshops focus on different music elements, sometimes at the same time. Boomwhackers help introduce harmony into different activities, while still having a strong rhythmic element. The are colourful and allow participants with different abilities and challenges to participate equally.
Singing is an important part of the music workshops and everyone can join in. Songs often include participants’ names and contributions, and the lyrics are repeated, so the songs are easy to learn and remember. There are also movements that go with the lyrics, so participants warm up and get to move around.
An example of a warm up activity which includes singing, thinking “on your feet” and coordinated movement. Participants touch their head, shoulders, knees and toes while counting.
Part of this research project is talking to the music workshop participants and their families, the service staff and other community musicians, to find out about the challenges our participants face and how music workshops can change peoples’ lives. We really enjoy talking to such different and interesting people, finding out about the role of music in their lives.
We visited the Milldale centre in Linwood for their Open day, what a fun event! Service users and their families came together to celebrate the end of the term. All sat together, chatting and getting to know each other, creating a positive and happy environment. The highlight of the day was the “singing hands” performance, where service users performed songs singing and using Makaton. To close off the day, we interviewed some of the participants’ families. A day well spent!
