Case Study: How disability is no barrier to music-making for children in NorthamptonshireHusband and wife Kate and John Bickerdike are employed by NMPAT as instrumental teachers.
Here, they share their experiences of working with pupils with upper limb impairments. |
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As the UK’s leading authority on adaptation of traditional instruments, OHMI is uniquely positioned to provide solutions that give pupils parity of experience with their peers and enable teachers to use uniform pedagogical approaches across a whole class.
OHMI has joined forces with Creative United, Northamptonshire Music and Performing Arts Trust (NMPAT) and Nottingham Music Service, to launch an innovative Inclusive Access to Music-Making (IAMM) programme. Part-funded by Arts Council England, the programme aims to identify the needs of physically disabled pupils, and produce a plan to provide accessible instruments, enabling equipment, staff training as well as other interventions. |
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Kate explains how she was first introduced to OHMI
“I became aware of OHMI’s incredible work when they gave a presentation a few years ago on how an Artiphon can be put to good use by children living with a physical disability. At the time, I knew about a girl in reception year so it was good information to hold on to until she was at an age when her year group would be offered the opportunity of whole class ensemble teaching.” Kate’s work involves supporting a school in Daventry, known for its strong track record as champions of inclusivity. The school has dedicated a whole year to playing stringed instruments and was keen to ensure two girls with particular needs were not excluded from learning with their peers.
The early solution came in sourcing slightly bigger violins. Both girls have managed to bow on the instruments for most of the lessons by placing a non-slip mat in their laps in order to play cello style.
The early solution came in sourcing slightly bigger violins. Both girls have managed to bow on the instruments for most of the lessons by placing a non-slip mat in their laps in order to play cello style.
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As Kate explains, that approach has its limitations,
“Playing an instrument in this way is really tiring. The Artiphon supplied by OHMI is super easy to use and means the girls can easily switch instruments rather than having to stop playing completely. The Artiphon works exclusively through an iPad/iPhone but offers a 'tap' method so notes can be selected and sounds produced with just one hand. It really opens up music-making for pupils where fingers may be absent, less dexterous or where splints need to be worn.” The success of the project can be measured by the sheer joy on a child’s face when they are able to join in with their classmates, according to Kate. |
An Artiphon
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Knowing about a student's needs ahead of time makes all the difference
Alerting the music teacher ahead of time to a particular child’s needs is the catalyst that allows us to make such a difference to a young life. As husband John explains, it’s uplifting for all involved.
“Telling a child they can’t take part is the worst possible thing. As music teachers who go into different schools, we’re often unaware that there’s a child with a particular need. The class teacher simply doesn’t bring them down to class. It’s well meaning in the sense that they don’t want that child to be in a position where they will clearly struggle to participate. And yet that’s exactly the case when they are left to undertake a different activity to their peers.”
One pupil in particular stands out,
“I received notice from a school in Northampton that one of the pupils would have difficulty holding a trumpet in both hands and would therefore be unable to play the notes required. OHMI’s trumpet stand – which is actually an adapted cymbal stand from a drum kit – allows the instrument to be played one handed. Within ten weeks, this resourceful and resilient young chap was buzzing. It was a very practical demonstration – to him and others around him – that, with the right equipment, any difference in his hands was certainly not going to be an obstacle.”
“Telling a child they can’t take part is the worst possible thing. As music teachers who go into different schools, we’re often unaware that there’s a child with a particular need. The class teacher simply doesn’t bring them down to class. It’s well meaning in the sense that they don’t want that child to be in a position where they will clearly struggle to participate. And yet that’s exactly the case when they are left to undertake a different activity to their peers.”
One pupil in particular stands out,
“I received notice from a school in Northampton that one of the pupils would have difficulty holding a trumpet in both hands and would therefore be unable to play the notes required. OHMI’s trumpet stand – which is actually an adapted cymbal stand from a drum kit – allows the instrument to be played one handed. Within ten weeks, this resourceful and resilient young chap was buzzing. It was a very practical demonstration – to him and others around him – that, with the right equipment, any difference in his hands was certainly not going to be an obstacle.”
Donate to OHMIThere are so many disabled people who are desperate to play music with their peers. We can help to make that happen – but we can only do that with the wonderful support of our funders and donors.
As our instruments have to be hand-made by experts, they can only be produced in small numbers and are therefore expensive. Every little really does help.
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The OHMI Trust is a registered charity (Registered in England and Wales Charity No. 1143623, Scotland Charity No. SC052047).
Registered office: 29 Woodbourne Road, Harborne, Birmingham, B17 8BY
All content © OHMI - Enabling Music-Making for Physically Disabled People
The OHMI Trust is a registered charity (Registered in England and Wales Charity No. 1143623, Scotland Charity No. SC052047).
Registered office: 29 Woodbourne Road, Harborne, Birmingham, B17 8BY