Music for Life (continued)

I have always believed  that music is something in which everyone can partake, irrespective of their ability and inhibition. In music, I have seen young people gain in stature, and in width of outlook, because it opens up channels of communication, without the barriers of language. I have watched elderly people suffering from dementia become totally animated and confident, concentrating and singing, and no longer agitated or "wandering".

Great sensitivity is essential when the powerful effects of music can help to reaffirm identity, raise self-esteem, and give people a voice  - literally. Music can lead to  such breakthroughs in communication, satisfying a need for security and self-confidence.Young people have found outlets for their inner natural exuberance in music which can similarly alleviate problems of shyness, sensitiveness, fear, unsociability, even problems of defiance, temper and sullenness. People of ALL AGES at Sunbeams, young and old alike, have been motivated to "find" themselves in music, and thus develop their self-esteem, whilst reticent "moody" isolates are encouraged to become increasingly outgoing., as the music provides a therapy for personal conflict.

We now use Music for Life  for people with a wide range of Special needs, including problems of mental health, cerebral palsy, down's syndrome, autism, sensory impairment, emotional, mental and behavioural disturbance and profound multiple disability. We use Music for Life to encourage creative responses with children who exhibit negative, challenging behaviour, habitual and stereotype responses and self injurious gestures. We use Music for Life with people who are severely language deprived, to improve their personal development and quality of life.

By by-passing some of the functions necessary for decoding speech, music can make a deep impact on people for whom a verbally saturated environment can only add to confusion and further isolation. I think of the lady with such severe Alzheimers that she didn't know her own name , or recognise her family, but who took hold of my Celtic harp the first time she saw it, and played it with a beautiful technique. Afterwards  she said, very poignantly: "Well, I don't remember why I know that I can do that!"

The medical staff, the carers and I all knew we were witnessing something very profound and moving, encapsulating music as an expressive art, which speaks directly to the emotions.
Real Music for Life.

We have many similar  wonderful Sunbeams 'stories' - living proof of the healing power of music, which can unlock the strongest of defence mechanisms. And each time, it is like standing on "perceptive tip-toe", trying to detect what is on the brink of being called into existence for the very first time. And always, it is very humbling, very moving, and very profound.  I firmly believe that if our lovely Sunbeams people are prepared to sing, and make music, and expose their vulnerability to others, then we should listen with respect and learning, in an atmosphere of love and enthusiasm, and full attention to their beauty, and the beauty of sound......................  "At Music for Life, there are never any wrong notes, only the person's notes; notes aren't moral."