Spotlight On Success - May

West Australian Symphony Orchestra and John Holland present

Music and Health Education Program

In an extension of Western Australian Symphony Orchestra’s (WASO’s) award winning education program, an ensemble of WASO musicians, accompanied by an experienced music educator, presents a series of free classroom musical demonstrations and workshops to students in the Department of Education and Training Hospital School Services (HSS) program at Princess Margaret Hospital (PMH) throughout 2009.

WASO will visit PMH on a number of occasions throughout the year conducting workshops for Lower Primary, Upper Primary and Secondary children. Using age-appropriate repertoire and resources, WASO players take patients on a discovery of the instruments of the symphony orchestra exploring their unique sound qualities and abilities. Involvement is open-ended allowing patients to participate and achieve at their own level within groups of varying backgrounds and abilities. The first visit by WASO took place on May 25.

WASO feels that music is vital to the development of the human spirit and as an organisation is dedicated to increasing people’s awareness of, and access to, orchestral music. Participating in these education programs is integral to the academic, social and emotional development of these young patients.

WASO perform at PMH

Janet Holmes à Court AC, WASO Chairman and Chairman of John Holland said, “The concerts are great fun and we hope a welcome break for the children from the routine of hospital life, as they learn more about the instruments of the Orchestra. We feel that this project will develop into a cornerstone of our outreach and community program.”

“John Holland is excited to have the opportunity to further extend its partnership with WASO, working with HSS to bring classical music to young hospital patients. Our Music & Health Education Program recognises the power of music and through this program we hope to brighten the lives of the children at the hospital,” said Adam Harry, General Manager, John Holland Western Region.

Culture and the Arts Minister John Day congratulated WASO and John Holland on taking the program to sick children at PMH.

“WASO musicians are incredibly talented and I am sure that meeting them and hearing their work will capture the imaginations and inspire children who are too ill to be at home or attending their regular schools,” Mr Day said.

Caleb Jones - Liaison Teacher, Hospital School Services commented on the success of the program based on the first two visits by the WASO to PMH.

“After two years of planning between HSS, WASO and John Holland seeing the program a reality and the excitement on our students' faces, is a dream come true. This hands-on experience of music is also a dream come true for many of our students who often miss out on special school events while in hospital. One patient who has been in hospital for over 6 months commented "I NEVER thought I'd ever get to try playing a tuba, it was SO cool!" Another said, "I loved how the musicians showed the way instruments create sound and they played lots of different styles of music.

“HSS also really appreciates the support of the Starlight Foundation who sends a live feed throughout PMH on their Starlight TV channel, for kids restricted to their beds. We certainly hope the program continues to develop, bringing inspiring music education to the sick kids of WA for many years to come. We thank WASO and John Holland for their willingness to make the Music & Health Education Program reality.”

Contacts for further information on this program:

Hospital School Services - PMH Caleb Jones (08) 9340 8529

Website: www.hospitalschoolservices.wa.edu.au

Email: Caleb.jones@det.wa.edu.au

WASO: Francine Tonkin (08) 9326 0061

Website: www.waso.com.au

Email: tonkinf@waso.com.au