Peace, Power, Happiness and Contentment

We began this week with a bell choir. A full musical scale of colourful bells was distributed among group members. The colours corresponded with posters featuring each chord in the major scale. Together, we played through different combinations of chord progressions, noting the different qualities of each chord. We then began exploring different rhythmic phrases as a group. Maintaining a steady beat with our feet on the floor, and using a mix of percussion instruments and body percussion to compose short rhythmic phrases. Each group member had the opportunity to create their own rhythm which the group would echo back. We then proceeded to improvise music as a group using a combination of percussive and melodic instruments. We created several musical improvisations which gave each group member the opportunity to trade instruments and try different things. For one of the improvisations we set an intention for the music, the group decided they wanted the music to sound peaceful, happy, content, and powerful. Following the improvisation, the group agreed that we achieved this soundscape. We discussed how music can make us feel more present and attuned to the moment. Each of us was so focused on what we were playing and listening to our fellow musicians that we got a break from the noise of our thoughts. To close, group members were invited to share one word about how they felt creating music with their peers in today's music therapy session. The words community, connection, calm, enjoyment, and presence were shared.

Tuning and Playing

We had a lot of fun experimenting with our first rhythms and chords this week. The piano students were challenged to play some rhythm exercises, and the ukulele students practiced changing chords and learned about tuning the instrument.

We Are Happy And We Know It!

During our music class this week we were happy and we knew it! Shaking our sillies out, we all had such a great time together. Besides our fun weekly sing-a-long, dance, and movement, all the participants also had a turn playing the guitar.

The More the Merrier!

Last week's class was a busy one! We had a new family join with four siblings, so our class size almost doubled. Highlights included discussing ideas for Halloween costumes and singing Halloween songs together, such as I'm Dressing Up For Halloween, Five Little Pumpkins, and Pumpkin Pumpkin Big and Round. The kids especially enjoyed pretending to be werewolves and howling at the moon in the former. The parachute was also a hit, as usual!

Sharing in Music

Today's session was an opportunity for the children to explore different instruments and see what sounds they could make. We started by exploring all the different instruments and ways we could play them. After that we played several musical games, including, Red Light Stop, Green Light Go. This game involves everyone choosing an instrument to play and making music together, and when the red stop sign gets held up everyone has to freeze. The kids appeared to have a fun time with this one as everyone was playing loudly and fast and stopping quickly when instructed to do so. The kids all had an opportunity to choose a song for us all to play from the provided song cards. These included familiar classics like BINGO, Old MacDonald and Apples & Bananas. The kids practiced sharing skills by trading instruments for every song to make sure everyone had a chance to play each instrument they wanted to. We all played our hearts out today, I'm sure you could hear the sound of the drums, bells, shakers and xylophones through the halls.

Getting to Know Our Instruments

During our second evening class this session we got to know a little bit more about the piano and the ukulele, and the basics of learning music, such as tuning our strings and finding notes and chords throughout the keyboard.

Small Steps

I started our class with a rhythm name game. The students were not very interested. I then explained every name has a rhythm. We went around the circle counting the beats in everyone's name, then it clicked! Everyone was now excited to use their voice and say their names with the rhythm. We then played with the tempo! Everyone took a turn leading with the tambourine and choosing the new tempo. It was a lot of fun to watch everyone take an opportunity to lead the class. Even the most timid students were excited to lead!

Full Room, Lots of Fun!

With a record number of attendees, we had a full room and happy and engaged children singing, dancing, playing musical instruments and doing a lot of movement. From rowing our boats to marching like big elephants we had lots of fun and started the weekend on a high note.

Frog Success!

This week was one of the most fun and engaging classes at Arise yet!! Like Joanna, I also brought out the frog guiro/wooden frogs this week and they were a huge hit. I know that with this group the older children enjoy the featured instrument of the week, so I made sure to give them a preview of this instrument before we started class. This was a great tool in getting one of the older children to put his iPad away and join us for the class, a full 45 minutes of screen-free fun! There was also a newborn baby in the class this week and her mother seemed very proud and happy to be joining us. It was a feel-good class all around!

Music and Play

Today's session was all about providing an opportunity for the children to explore different instruments and sounds they could make in the space. The kids went straight to the instruments set up in the middle of the room and we all sat around on the floor to explore them. I offered different cards with popular children's songs so the kids could choose which ones they wanted to sing and play as a group. We went through classic favourites like Old Macdonald, Twinkle Twinkle, and Happy and You Know It. The kids offered many suggestions for movements and sounds that we could create together. Many of the mothers joined in, doing the actions with the kids and playing along on a variety of instruments. We got creative with the music, switching from slow to fast and loud to soft. After our goodbye song, the kids helped clean up all the instruments and appeared joyful after some time spent playing, music making, being creative, and connecting with others.