The Old Lady

Once upon a time, a woman of a certain age was aware that she was "The Old Lady" in a team of musicians delivering music projects to children and young people in challenging circumstances.

For a long time, the old lady had been working as a freelance artist, leading percussion workshops and projects in a wide range of educational and community settings, comfortable in her ability to enthuse, entertain and engage students of every age and ability.

Some time later, the old lady found herself working with a team comprising considerably younger musicians, who seemed far more current in their musical abilities and interests.  She began to wonder whether the skills and experience she had been developing over the decades had much relevance to the young people in challenging circumstances that her team were engaging with.  She really didn't know what "Dub Step" was, and when a colleague played "Skrillex" in a session with behaviourally challenged teenagers, the old lady went home with a headache.

She called the leader of the team to discuss the dilemma in which she found herself.  Tongue in cheek, he suggested that perhaps some of the young people might benefit from a "grandmother figure".  That got her thinking.  After all, one of the most dear and inspirational people in her life had been her own grandmother.

At the next workshop, as the young people entered the room, the old lady's mindset was no longer "I don't know how to engage with these young people" ... it was "I'm going to find a way to engage with these young people and enhance their enjoyment and learning today."

And so began a new chapter in the old lady's life.  Nicola, who had refused to play a drum in the previous session, tentatively asked if she could try the doun douns.  The old lady spent some very patient time going over and over a pattern until Nicola found the confidence to play it independently, and by the end of the session was playing along proudly with the group.  The old lady had also been observing Josh for a couple of sessions, noticing that he didn't seem to make much attempt to be part of the music-making with his group.  So she went and sat with him, asking if he could play the guitar.  He said no, with a shy smile.  Well, the old lady couldn't either, so they both got guitars, and were soon playing two chords with the rest of the group.

Small steps, thought the old lady, who had had the courage to change her mindset and embrace her age and experience, instead of seeing it as an obstacle.  This in turn had helped two vulnerable young people to begin to see the power of music, and their ability to play and engage in it.  Which, after all, was why the old lady was there.

Roll on my next birthday, she thought :)