An inclusive choir for children and young people with special educational needs or disabilities and their siblings, led by music therapist, Carmem Coles. The choir gives members the opportunity to develop their skills, find their own voice and gain the confidence to sing in front of others. Children who are mute will often start to sing in a choir; others with communication difficulties may sing better than they speak.
Choir sessions are held on Saturday mornings during term-time at 10.45am at Newland House School TW1 4TQ
Please call 07435 062212 or email info@okmtrust.org.uk for information.
ACTIVITIES:
- Learning breathing techniques by for example blowing instruments
- Physical movement and learning rhythm.
- Constant repetition to help those with memory problems
- Learning songs for performance
- Learning Makaton signing to accompany songs
BENEFITS:
- Improved communication skills
- Reduced isolation and improved social skills
- Improved concentration
- Increased confidence and pride
- A chance to share the joy of singing and performing with others
- Feeling part of a community
Singing in the choir has improved the emotional well-being of the children and helped them to gain confidence, social and communication skills, and given them the joy of singing with others.
In our simple survey for the children and young people:
- 100% chose the Happy Face to describe how the choir made them feel
- 100% said the choir had helped them to sing better,
- 100% said they had made friends
- 95% said they felt part of a group
- 80% said it made them feel more confident.
- 60% said they found it easier to speak to other people.
The choirs normally perform together at our summer and Christmas concerts. In 2018 they performed on BBC Breakfast to close a programme on SEND issues just before Christmas.
Thank you to the D’Oyly Carte Charitable Trust for funding the OK Youth Choir.