Adam Gellibrand
I have had the pleasure of running more inclusive music sessions for Wellspring West Sussex this year with funding from the Ernest Kleinwort Charitable Trust.
So far we have worked with PACSO for a full day of music making at QM Studios and I have run some electronic music sessions at Kingslea Primary School in Horsham for students with additional needs. PACSO We are very proud to offer music sessions on behalf of Wellspring at QM Studios in Horsham and when PACSO visited everyone had a great time! The 10 young people with additional needs were able to explore different musical instruments at the studio, including electronic drums, electronic percussion, the Skoog, DJ Decks plus lots of other cool professional instruments. Everyone had a great time in the vocal booth too! Practising singing to their favourite songs and then recording on to Logic Pro recording software to create a masterpiece! The PACSO sessions were a chance for the young people with additional needs to access the studios and use the amazing kit there. We saw the group really come alive with music as they shared the experience together. Building confidence, gaining new tech skills and having fun with their friends...and us! Here are some quotes from the guys at PACSO, sent to us by Emma Kennedy (CEO): “That was epic”, “That was a great day”, “I don’t want to go home!”. “Brilliant day for our young people - hanging out, making friends, learning new skills and building confidence. We can’t wait to come again! Thank you!” KINGSLEA PRIMARY SCHOOL Delivering Wellspring’s sessions at a mainstream school is a first for me and something that I have discovered is really worthwhile, as some students with additional needs at non SEN specific schools can find life challenging. I worked with 5 students who had additional needs from Year 5. We had great fun recording an audio comedy; an idea that the students came up with. We recorded using a portable vocal booth onto a laptop running Logic Pro, with the students making tracks, editing and arranging the project. We were all laughing at the corny ‘Dad Gags’! I also brought along my Handsonic to the sessions, which we used to trigger sound FX. The Handsonic is an amazing electronic percussion pad. The students find it really accessible and love to get creative with it. I ran 5 short sessions with the group and had some great feedback from Alexis Conway, Head Teacher: “Adam ran a series of fantastic lunchtime session for five Y5 children across a number of weeks. The aim of the sessions was to develop the children’s confidence, creativity and team work whilst using music tech equipment. This led to the group improvising on the electronic instruments and creating their very own audio joke book! Most of the children who took part have an Education Health Care Plan due to their additional needs and can find aspects of school life quiet challenging. They loved coming to the sessions and gained in confidence in their ability to succeed at something that was out of their comfort zone. The children will then be showcasing what they have produced in front of 240 children in an assembly which will raise their profile amongst the student body. We would love to have more sessions.” The “Friday Cheese Club” created by the students is available to listen to here: |
It’s such a privilege to work with these groups and we have more sessions lined up for the rest of the year. Music and creativity are for everyone to enjoy in their own way, and so crucial for children and young people’s development. A huge thank you to Wellspring for making the sessions possible. Not only is it a chance for the young people who have additional needs, but also an opportunity for myself, assistant workshop leaders and volunteers to work within a creative musical environment.
If you are interested in finding out more about Wellspring funded music workshops, please get in touch! |
Click here to read about past music workshops and sessions Adam has run.
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