Children with special educational needs tuned in to a musical investment

Children with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) will benefit from a £90,000 investment in adaptive musical instruments by Oxfordshire County Council.  

 They include a ‘joystick’, which can be used to perform and compose music and is particularly good for pupils in wheelchairs or those with limited motion.

There will be instruments that light up when played, and balls that trigger music as they bounce.  The very latest music technology, as well as acoustic instruments from around the world, will be made available for SEND children to explore and enjoy over the academic year, supported by Oxfordshire County Council’s music service.

Councillor John Howson, Oxfordshire County Council’s Cabinet Member for Children, Education and Young People’s Services, said: “These adaptive instruments and the latest music technology will enhance our ability to unlock the potential of children who may not have had an opportunity to express themselves through music before.

“We believe every young person should have a chance to access musical learning and we’re excited to be able to expand our programme, responding to requests from the young people themselves, their families and education professionals who work with them.”

The funding has been made possible through investment from Arts Council England and will be delivered by Oxfordshire County Council. The full range of instruments will be arriving over the next couple of months.

Lisa Lyons, Director of Children Services for Oxfordshire County Council, said: “All children and young people should be able to enjoy enriching and exciting musical experiences, and we look forward to changing the landscape and bringing these instruments to schools and community settings.

“Some children with limited verbal communication skills use music to help them make friends and express their emotions.

“Instruments that require limited amounts of verbal explanation and eye contact – such as the Rav Drum (image below), which makes a therapeutic sound – work wonders in calming children who experience excessive anxiety.

“Shruti boxes are from India and create a long therapeutic droning sound. They’re fabulous for young people with limited physical ability and can be played with two fingers. They’re also very tactile and can be used by pupils who like sensory stimulation or enjoy the feel of the air across their face.”

Millie’s story

Visually impaired Millie Shaw, from Witney, has thrived through opportunities provided by Oxfordshire County Council’s music service.

Expressing herself through singing, the 17 year old recently performed with the Oxfordshire County Youth Choir at the Music for Youth’s National Festival in Birmingham. 

“Being in the choir, which she joined in January, has given my Millie a sense that she’s good at something,” explains her mum, Victoria Beaumont.  

“There were two rehearsals where Millie was made anxious by the noise, however the teachers reassured and calmed her, and quickly she found her confidence.”

Recalling her preparations for the concert, Millie said: “There were lot of steps, twists and turns to learn in readiness to perform on an unfamiliar stage in Birmingham Town Hall.

“My teacher was amazing, helping me count and learn the number of steps, and arranging for me to walk on stage in advance so I could get a feel of it.

“When you’ve got sight loss, this thoughtful extra support makes such a difference.”

Oxfordshire County Council’s qualified music teachers have also helped Millie with her GCSE music studies at the Marlborough School, including one to one tuition in a quiet classroom environment. Their calm, patient and inclusive attitude helped Millie reach the heights of singing a grade seven level duet of Mozart’s Don Giovanni.

Mum, Victoria said: “Millie’s GCSE coursework results were fantastic, scoring 30/30 for both her solo and ensemble performance, achieving a hundred percent of the marks.”

Millie has also enjoyed folk music taster sessions. The team at the council’s music service emailed lyrics to her to learn and remember in advance, so she wasn’t disadvantaged alongside other children who read them off a big screen.

An opportunity to take part in studio recording sessions has also boosted Millie’s confidence.

Victoria said: “People often believe that me proudly telling them Millie can sing is just a ‘she’s disabled so isn’t it lovely she enjoys singing badly’ type of thing.

“It’s very much not that. Having recordings to play back to them helps me dispel that idea. They’re also brilliant for Millie to listen to, proving to her just how good she is.

“Singing has been the making of Millie, and I can’t thank enough the brilliant and professional team in Oxfordshire County Council’s music service.”

Ben’s story

Visually impaired Ben Etherton, from Wheatley, is a multi-talented peripatetic music teacher employed by Oxfordshire County Council’s music service.

Ben, 31, specialises in instruments such as the cello and double bass, but also plays piano and works as a singing tutor.

He visits schools throughout Oxfordshire, as well as teaching at the council’s Centre for Music in Barton, and supports the cello section of the County Youth Orchestra.

Diagnosed with the degenerative eye condition retinitis pigmentosa at the age of 17, Ben has learnt to adjust and adapt to ensure he can actively continue his love for music.

Ben explains: “I sometimes play more ‘by ear’ than sight, memorising melodies and musical ideas. I can still see to read music, but it has to be close up and central, as I’ve lost much of my peripheral vision.

“Because some of my remaining sight will gradually deteriorate, it makes sense to develop this learning instinct now, so I’m able to continue teaching and playing going forward.”

When Ben is teaching, he uses two music stands, one for his student and a second for himself. This compensates for his lack of peripheral vision, which prevents him being able to read what is written on his student’s sheet if he’s standing to the side of them.

Ben chuckles when he describes the challenge of meeting his students: “It’s often easier teaching than finding a pupil at the start of class. I struggle to see in low light, so sometimes they’ll surprise me because I don’t notice them when I come to get them from their classroom. If they walk up from the side, I might not realise they’re there until they say my name or politely tap my arm.”

Many of Oxfordshire County Council’s music service’s pupils have special educational needs and disabilities (SEND). Music is a way for them to express themselves and overcome their challenges. When they realise Ben has had to adapt because of sight loss, it helps build mutual respect and understanding.

Ben graduated from the Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama in 2016, and taught autistic children at Oxford’s Cherwell School before joining the council’s music service last year, 2023.

Ben said: “I’ve always had a passion for music and I feel very privileged to teach it professionally.

“The exploration of music happens through our imagination; the way we interpret it to convey meaning and emotion is personal to us. So, although being visually impaired poses its challenges, it hasn’t stopped me singing, playing, teaching and performing.

“Oxfordshire’s music students are a pleasure to teach. It is rewarding to be part of their musical development and to witness their enthusiasm and eagerness to learn and master the craft.

“Children with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) are fantastic to work with. Knowing that they are enjoying their music and that the experience is boosting their confidence and self-belief is wonderful and a privilege to be a part of.”

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