Music and Sensory Workshop at SAFS Bring the Power Festival - 16th August 2024

Written by: Gabriela Borges da Costa Hofton, Outreach & Arts Administration Intern

We began the session by welcoming the children and their carers into the performance space. We were able to get to know everyone in the room through musical means with the ‘Hello’ song, which was a great way of making every child feel seen, without them having to communicate verbally. Following this introduction, we performed our version of the song ‘La Bamba’ which set a lively and positive atmosphere that the participants engaged with by joining in on percussion instruments. One of the participants was able to contribute to the session by playing a rhythm which sparked an unplanned addition to the performance that everyone joined in with. Being responsive to the participants’ reaction to the music was one of the ways that we were able to make the session as interactive as possible.

As the participants engaged so well with using percussion instruments, we followed this song with a call and response activity which was very interactive because each participant had to focus carefully on the short rhythmic passage they had to copy. As we went through the group changing who was doing the ‘call’ each time, every participant was given a position of leadership and autonomy within the group’s music-making.

This was followed by a performance of a Peruvian song in which I played the violin, adding a new soundscape to the mix.I was able to introduce the sound of the violin further through improvisation with guitar. During this improvisation, which helped to bring the session from the high-energy percussion-playing to a calm ending, the participants were given different fabrics and materials to engage with. One of the children came and sat next to me and I was able to connect with them with eye contact as I was performing. Once the improvisation came to an end, one participant cheered and came to give me a high-five. Through these exchanges, which were realised through music-making, I was able to connect and communicate with the participants, and their responses were very positive.

Throughout the workshop, the participants’ responses guided the structure of the session,for example, the call and response activity was sparked by their positive engagement with the percussion instruments. Through this, I learnt how to be adaptable and responsive based on my interactions with the participants. I also developed my confidence by addressing the audience and leading them at the start of the call and response activity. During the performance of the Peruvian song and improvisation, I had to draw on my skills of ensemble playing, which was challenged by trying to balance this alongside interacting with the audience and getting them involved too.