Music Therapy Clinician: Supporting reflective clinical practice Volume 1 | Page 38

reputations or who drew a really big crowd. Um…and it was a big thrill for my singers to get beyond their usual home crowd of 40 or 50 people coming to see them at Kardon to then, kind of, take that performance and do a combined number with a community choir that was, you know, like, a hundred and twenty singing members for an audience of a couple thousand. Roia: Mm-hm. Christine: So, I think, from that perspective, that might have been the most beneficial inclusive experience that they may have experienced. Roia: Mm-hm. Christine: But, I think on a…I think a lot of what was meaningful about the group happened at the practices…in the rehearsals where people developed relationships with each other. Um, and I think they enjoyed the break where we actually had snacks and a chance to talk with each other, and we would often sort of stop for announcements, and, you know, the sort of housekeeping things that have to happen when you’re managing a group, you know, with a lot of people in it. But also we would always leave time for people to talk about things that they were excited about. You know…good things that were happening or to ask the group to sort of help them with, you know, something they may have been concerned about. And, you know, it was a beautiful moment, in each rehearsal, where someone would share something personal, and that’s where I really felt like we were a real community. Roia: Mm-hm. Wow. Just wow. Angela, you want to throw anything in there? 36 | P a g e Angela: Oh goodness. That was good. Um…[Laughter] Just in my experience that…sometimes you have to go above and beyond to reach out to families who have children with special needs, siblings that they might care for who have special needs, to say, you know, it’s okay. Come on out. I can help you. How can I help you? What can I do to make this easier for you to get out of your house and get to this event? Um, we just have to go above and beyond and remind them and assist in any way that we can, and then once they’re there, it’s usually beneficial for everyone involved. But…just recognizing the stressors that are involved for caring…that may be involved, I should say, for caring for an individual with special needs. And I don’t think it brings any extra attention. I think it’s just…sort of levels the playing field. Giving extra support can help to level the playing field among everyone attending. Roia: Mm-hm. Yeah, and for us…um…we…I guess…I guess, again, [laughter] as I’m listening to you guys, I’m thinking, wow, our place is…we really had a hard time involving the community in the process, and, um…I’m not sure how we could do it differently, if we were even allowed to do it these days. I think we’ve had a lot of changes at our facility, and so doing something of this sort is not as supported as it used to be, which is really unfortunate, because I think…um…well, I think it really speaks to just how isolating it is to live in an institution, and…and how that kind of a venue so doesn’t lend itself to most inclusive experiences. Um…so, I don’t know. I guess I have to do some more thinking about that whole experience, but, um, I would say this: it certainly meant something to the folks who live at the developmental center, because I still have people asking me, are we ever going to have the coffeehouse again? If we do, can I help with it? And stuff like that. So, at least it definitely meant something to the folks who live there, and the idea, I think, was a good one. I think it also opened the eyes of a lot of the folks who came to perform to the fact that, um, your audience can include a lot of people, can include everyone. It’s, um…you know, the places exist, the people with disabilities exist, and…and here is a group of people who can also perform and take part in music in a way that you also do. Um, I guess, just in wrapping this up, are there any last things that, I guess, I didn’t ask that you would have liked to have commented on or anything, just, further, that you want to add as a last…last thing on this? Um, Angela, do you want to start, and then, Christine, you can carry on? Angela: I just…I think it just starts with an idea, so just…just go for it. If you need support you can reach out to any of us or colleagues. Um, just try to replicate it in your community if that’s what you want to do. Roia: I would agree with that. [laughter] Christine, do you want to add anything? Christine: Yeah. Sure! Um, I think that there…sometimes in…when you’re working as a music therapist you…you may be the only music therapist, or one of just a few, um, at your facility, or even in your area, and it can feel very much like you sort of have to invent the wheel. You…to take an idea, and, um, and breathe life into it and actually bring it to fruition. It takes a lot. And, um, I think, knowing that there is a precedent for these types of community-based groups, um, might help someone maybe figure out the logistics, and maybe work the details a little differently than if they felt like they had to do it all on their own. So, I’m really glad that you were able to put together this resource so that people might be able to refer to it. So, I think it’s a