Tunes Together - Celebrating with Families

Our current funded Tunes Together sessions drew to a close with a colourful, multi-sensory, musical jungle extravaganza.

With clever use of materials and some lovely lighting, we transformed the space in Underground 1 & 2 at Royal & Derngate into an Amazonian jungle to give plenty of atmosphere and visual stimulation.  It was lovely to see so many of the families, young people, musicians and teaching staff present.  We also welcomed our external evaluator and some special guests along to join in the fun too.  We sang and played to the songs the children had written and the musicians composed; about gorillas beating their chests, snapping crocodiles, grey and wrinkly elephants and slithery snakes going home for tea; all linked together by our two intrepid Explorers.  The afternoon’s proceedings were finished off with some extremely delicious jungle refreshments.  A truly wonderful way to round off what has been a marvellous year.

"What a lovely session that was coming together. You all have put so much effort into this event and we thoroughly enjoyed it. Thanks so much to you and the team." (Parent)

"Catalyst had provided a brilliant range of instruments, carefully selected for each individual child. Song and activities repeated just enough times to increase children’s involvement but not too many times that they lose interest.  Throughout there was a balance between free playing and more direction. Clothes were washed, there were bubbles and then clothes pegged onto lines that were then pulled up. One child with very profound difficulties was vocalising at pitch to the night time song." (Jan Hall,  Music Therapist and Teacher at Rowan Gate School) 

As always, we must publically thank our volunteers; our signer and student musicians whose contributions have helped to make these sessions so successful.  We’re just now waiting to hear whether we have managed to secure funding for the sessions to run for a further year.  As aptly put by one of the families, ”this is just the end of the first phase!”.