Inclusive Practice - The Hope Creative, Session 1 2016-17

I am a new trainee music practitioner working for BPM (Bristol Plays Music). I have been assigned to a project called ‘The Hope Creative’. The Hope Creative is a project for Children in Care in Bristol. Using a creative approach, the children can develop their sense of musical-self and explore ways to help reinforce positive identity and self-worth.  Alongside the project I am also taking part in an inclusive practitioner training course based at Colston Hall which I hope will equip me with the skills and knowledge I need for the monthly workshops.

I am extremely excited to start my new career in community music and I am going to share my experiences with you over the coming months. 

The first session with the hope creative was a very positive experience for me and I think the children and leaders alike all had fun and were able to express themselves musically . We prepared the environment by clearing away potentially hazardous items in the room and then we arranged the seats in a semi-circle so a group activity could be started without practical concerns. When the children arrived it quickly became clear that a young person centred approach was going to be effective because the new venue offered up a wide array of weird and wonderful musical instruments that quickly grabbed the children’s attention.  After the initial excitement, we then decided to get the ukuleles ready for playing and I helped two participants tune the instruments and play chords. I also encouraged child A to remind me how to play chords on a ukulele! Child A then said he would like to sing a particular song so I joined forces with another leader and accompanied the song using the guitar. Child B also expressed interest in the guitar and I helped him how to pluck individual strings.

At the end of the session each of the participants gave an ‘X Factor’ style performance of the piece of music they had rehearsed during the session. Afterwards the three X Factor judges, acted faithfully by the children’s carers, gave their opinions of the musical extravaganza they had just witnessed! On a more serious note, this was a great idea that was initially put forward by child A and it was encouraged by the leaders because of its inclusivity and it was great to see everyone coming together at the end to share their music and encouragement for the others in the group.

Since the workshop I have reflected on the session with my mentor and we have come up with a few ways we can engage the group in a shared activity.  For example, in the next session I hope to lead a simple percussion/vocal orchestra where everyone has the opportunity to be the conductor.