The Green Room - In School Sessions - Term 1

This term Luan and I have been venturing up to Whangaparaoa College every Tuesday to make music with a group of children who are having a hard time.

Tuesday was our last session for Term and we wanted to get some feedback about our sessions. If the kids felt it had made a difference and how music has (if at all) helped them this term.

We were overwhelmed with their answers so we wanted to share with you!

Have you enjoyed our sessions each week?

“One of the best music things that school has offered - it has been really fun”

What has been fun about it?

“Everything”

“The whole thing”

Is there anything you’d like us to do that we haven’t?

“No”

“I really like the percussion instruments. They’re easy to pick up and we can just play and we don’t need to know chords”

Keep in mind, The Green Room sessions have been designed for EVERYONE musical and non musical to have the opportunity to join in, in a music making experience, without being overwhelmed by not having a basic understanding of an instrument. We were thrilled to hear that the use of percussion instruments has helped build this confidence and allowed them to express and join in, with ease.

“I’d like to freestyle more on the piano and try figure songs out for myself”

Slightly more challenging, but we are keen to incorporate a “jam” / “exploration” segment in the workshop which is more “free play” rather than following a chord chart or set song from the mentors and group.

How has it made you feel?

“Despite the loud music it has made me feel really calm when I leave”

“It’s made me feel good”

“It’s been the highlight of my week”

“I like that we’ve been able to choose the songs we play each week and not be told what we have to play and do”

“It’s made me feel prepared for anything that’s going to happen, even if its bad, I feel calm”

The power of music never ceases to amaze me and hearing from these kids about how our 45 minute session every Tuesday has impacted their lives like this, shook me to my core.

It was a reminder that what we are doing something incredibly special when creating music, connecting, learning new songs, taking an interest in their musical interests, all whilst singing and jamming.

I couldn’t imagine my life without music but I quite quickly forget that for some, music isn’t an integral part of their daily life when really it SHOULD be. The benefit that music has on our mental health and wellbeing is immense and we should value its impact more.

I read a really interesting article recently from Molly Warren who outlines the Impact of Music Therapy and I quote:

“Research shows the benefits of music therapy for various mental health conditions, including depression, trauma and schizophrenia (to name a few). Music acts as a medium for processing emotions, trauma, and grief—but music can also be utilized as a regulating or calming agent for anxiety or for dysregulation.”

You can read the full article here.

Remember:

Don’t be scared to try new things.

To create, to live, to move, sing and play.

Find balance and harmony.

You never know what people are going through and sometimes the people with the biggest smiles are struggling the most, so be kind.

For more information about our Green Room programme, go to: greenroom.org.nz