OK Music School provides focused teaching for children and young people aged 5-25 with additional needs, to enable them to discover their innate abilities and develop their musical talent. At weekly classes, our qualified music therapists use specialised methods to enable pupils to gradually learn to play an instrument or sing, and perform in public, with some studying for music exams. OK Music School takes place at the Twickenham United Reformed Church and Hanworth Methodist Church. Many thanks also to Newland House School who provide music rooms free of charge on Saturdays.
75 pupils with special educational needs or disabilities currently attend OK Music School. We hold 2 public concerts per year where pupils perform with joy and confidence and they also perform at other community events helping to encourage inclusivity and diversity. In 2024, 0ur Summer concert at St Paul’s School, Barnes and our Christmas concert in St Mary’s Church, Twickenham, both attended by the Mayor of Richmond upon Thames, were joyful occasions where pupils showcased their talent, joy and pride.
“I like the concerts and performing in front of lots of people”
- Preparatory Stage
Individual music therapy sessions, learning to listen, take turns and improvise on percussion instruments, to help develop creativity, communication skills and concentration. - Music School Stage 1
Weekly individual lessons where pupils try instruments such as percussion, keyboard, violin, flute, xylophone, guitar or voice. A picture-exchange system is used to help pupils learn the first elements of music such as dynamics, pitch, tempo and to find notes on a keyboard. - Stage 2
Individual or small groups lessons where pupils concentrate on their instrument of choice, learn to read musical notation, and build the confidence to perform in our 2 annual public concerts. Older pupils can join the OK Music School Band, attend monthly rehearsals and perform at other community events. - Stage 3
Some pupils are prepared for Associated Board of Royal Schools of Music or Music Teaching Board exams and 24 pupils have passed 49 music exams.
EXPECTED BENEFITS
Our feedback shows the pupils attending OK Music School are being helped to:
- Have improved communication skills
- Have improved social skills and make friends
- Gain confidence and pride
- Improve concentration and focus.
- Express themselves
- Have improved emotional well-being
- Feel the joy of performing with others
- Feel part of the community
- Fulfill their potential – some will have the possibility to have a career in music
The IMPROVISATION RHYTHM PERFORMANCE (IRP) technique used at Music School was developed by our Music Director, Edison Carolino, to give pupils with communication difficulties the confidence to learn to play an instrument.
Edison has run training workshops in OKMT IRP technique for therapists, parents and music teachers working with children and adults with additional needs, designed to help them to teach their pupils to learn how to play musical instruments. He produced the IRP Stage 1 booklet, which provides the teaching materials demonstrated during the training.
N is 17 years old and has Down’s Syndrome. He has some communication difficulties and can find it difficult to engage with others. But he is very social and wants to be part of a group. He loves music and is especially fond of pop music. N attends OK Music School and is in the band, which gives him a sense of belonging, as he looks forward to seeing the other members and loves performing with them on stage. N has always struggled with following instructions, but at OK Music he has learned to listen, follow instructions and be a better student.
“OKMT is broadening N’s world. It provides friendships, life skills, activities, reduces isolation and gives him a sense of accomplishment. It allows my son to belong to a group and be part of the community.”
K joined OK Music School aged 5, learning to play piano and perform in our concerts, helping her grow in confidence. Having stopped playing piano, she attended our Djembe drumming sessions and joined the Band, giving her a sense of community.
K has an unnamed syndrome causing learning and physical difficulties, and recently lost her sight, a devastating change which badly affected her confidence. In 2023, aged 13, K fulfilled her dream to learn to play drums ‘to be a rock star.’ She has played drum solos at our Christmas concerts and is eager to show off her talents at our next events!
“Music has been a lifeline for K as she adapts to a life without sight. We are so grateful to OKMT for enabling her to express herself and all that she has to offer others through music.”
L has autism and a severe learning disability. She is mostly non-verbal. A few years ago she was a bit lost in the wilderness but then she came to OK Music School, where she started to learn the piano. From just playing random notes and improvising, she is progressing in reading music, performs in our public concerts and has passed her MTB Pre-Grade piano exam. Her verbal communication has progressed as she tries hard to pronounce the numbers 1 2 3 4. Music is very uplifting for L and gives her structure and a great deal of pleasure. Her parents said, “The therapist has taught our severely autistic child to read music, play in public concerts, count herself in and to be very proud of her achievements. We can ask for no more”
S is learning to play piano at OK Music School. He has a diagnosis of autistm, which affects his concentration. The routine of lessons is important for S and he has shown a developing ability to listen and take instructions. His mother told us:
“From the moment S joined OK Music School he felt welcomed and comfortable. His piano lessons have become part of his life. His confidence has grown and music is a way to relax and learn how to express his feelings. The lessons improve his motor skills, speech and concentration too. At the summer concert, he played and sang “Bohemian Rhapsody” with huge confidence and got a great reception from the audience. He showed how deeply music is in his heart and how much it means to him”