Throughout the two-year programme, Electric Umbrella’s team will facilitate regular, interactive music workshops at the school, which educates children with special needs.
Mel Boda, co-founder of Electric Umbrella, said the aim of the programme was “to drive a depth of experience. It’s about getting children to start recognising responses to music.”
She said the sessions were designed to be varied and engaging “to reach every child in the room”, with an emphasis on “all types of music making”, adding: "It means a lot for children who may be told that they can’t do certain things and [this programme] helps them to believe they can."
[Missing Credit]
The Electric Umbrella crew is made up of both professional and non-professional musicians, some of whom have disabilities, co-delivering the programme. "It's important [the children] see disabled people as leaders, so the programme is very aspirational, as well as inspirational."
Adina Collins, headteacher at Kisharon Noé School and an Electric Umbrella trustee, said: "The pupils gain so much from seeing the Electric Umbrella members thriving and leading their sessions and being absolute role models to the SEND community."
Jonathan, one of Electric Umbrella’s talented learning-disabled musicians, shared her enthusiasm, saying: " I love introducing the students to the different instruments and giving them the chance to play them. We can get people out of their comfort zone and that builds confidence.”
The biggest way society can change is if organisations can aspire people to be different. We are modelling the inclusion we would like to see.”
Claire Boulter, Electric Umbrella’s head of education said the programme went way beyond the rigours of music education. “It’s about meaningful engagement, self-expression, and celebrating achievement in a way that has rarely been possible for learning-disabled young people. It’s music education reimagined, and we’re honoured to be delivering it at Kisharon Noé School.”
Boda highlighted the wider societal impact of programmes such as this one. "When these children leave school, they often fall off a cliff as the landscape is so empty. Music is a part of the thread that helps these children and young people. The biggest way society can change is if organisations can aspire people to be different. We are modelling the inclusion we would like to see.”
