Bringing Music to the Coast - Term 4 2022
Another term has flown by for The Green Room at Whangaparaoa College.
It was great to see the number of students grow over the term as word spread about the workshop and kids were finding confidence to come along.
Often it just takes one child to then encourage their friends and then we have a really nice big group.
Everyone has been really open to learning new things and eager to play, even when they don't know how to play. It's really inspiring to see because I realise how big of a deal that is for a lot of these kids who are lacking confidence in other areas of life.
To come along and then be open and willing to try something new and experiment with music, is a huge achievement. I'm so proud of them for taking that first step and for engaging with the group.
It's been really cool to see everyone slowly be open to suggesting songs for us to play too. Each week we remind them to create a playlist and come along with something new. Sharing your playlists can be quite a vulnerable thing to do. A playlist is such an insight into ones soul I think. What you’re listening to can really expose how you’re feeling or what you’re going through.
Once a song is chosen, we write the chords up on the board and teach everyone individual parts. Once we are feeling ready we have a jam along to the track.
If we have a singer, or if I know it well enough myself to carry the group, we try and do it A-cappella.
It's been another great term and it's been great to see such a strong attendance, especially with school exams and assessments taking a large amount of their time and energy.
-Eliette Roslin (CEO and Mentor)
Student Feedback
We asked the students in attendance in week 7&8 for some feedback on the term and what they thought of the workshop. Here were their responses.
Have you enjoyed our sessions each week?
Overwhelming “yes” from everyone
What has been fun about the Green Room each week?
"Getting to learn how to play with others"
"Talking about music"
“Freedom to play what you want without judgement”
“Playing music”
Is there anything you'd like us to do that we haven't?
"No, I like that we just jam and that it's casual each week"
Overall "no" from the group
How has the Green Room made you feel during the session?
"It's made me feel chilled out and calm"
“Included and not judged”
How has the Green Room made you feel after you've left?
"It's made me feel refreshed"
“At peace”
How has the Green Room impacted your musical journey. Have you felt inspired to play more? Do you feel it's made you do more music than you usually would?
"It's made me want to learn more about improvisation and play more"
"It's inspired me to play more during the week"
"I've found myself listening to more music"
Note from Kim Osborne (Head of Counselling, Whangaparaoa College)
The feedback and self evaluation from young people who have participated, concludes that their experience of social connection, relief of stress, recharging of social and emotional batteries, sense of inclusion, contribution and participation, have all yielded long term positive outcomes. Young people who have attended, request the opportunity to attend again, and recommend the program to others, as they feel positively impacted by the lunchtimes spent engaging in the many therapeutic benefits that music offers.
There is also much positive mention of the fantastic mentors, and Eliette has put huge time and effort into group dynamics, mentors’ skills and safety, and the power of connection with vulnerable, marginalised or neuro-diverse youth as well as those who struggle with mental health issues. The mentors are such safe, non-judgemental, responsive and inclusive adults, that have the ability to reach and develop our rangitahi.
We wish we could offer this service to students freely across all terms of the school year. We feel very strongly that Eliette’s vision is one that supports the school’s ethos, and elevates student Hauora, sense of self, belonging and connection.
I cannot recommend or endorse this program highly enough, and I thank Eliette for the courage and initiative to advance the cause of music as therapy, in the wider school context.
I continue to support and endorse the greater access of this program in schools and communities across Auckland, and I thank Eliette and her team for their profound and positive impact on our school community.
Kind regards
Kim Osborne, M.Ed, Dip Tchg
MNZAC
Head of Counselling
Whangaparaoa College
