Twin Atlantic Rocks Kilpatrick School with Music Therapy Session
Indie band Twin Atlantic recently made a heartwarming visit to Kilpatrick School in West Dunbartonshire to participate in music therapy sessions led by Nordoff and Robbins, the UK’s largest music therapy charity. The musicians, Ross McNee and Barry McKenna, visited the school ahead of the Specsavers Scottish Music Awards.
Kilpatrick School caters to over 150 pupils with additional support needs from the areas of Dumbarton, Alexandria, and Clydebank. During their visit, Ross and Barry engaged in one-to-one music therapy sessions with the school’s Music Therapist, Polly Harris. These sessions allowed the students, including 5-year-old Oliver and 11-year-old Amber, to create music while responding to Polly’s singing and playing various instruments like the guitar, ukulele, keyboard, and tambourine.
Polly explained that music therapy helps individuals connect and communicate through music, offering a unique way for children with additional support needs to explore their emotions and express themselves. For Oliver, who has epilepsy, cerebral palsy, visual impairment, and uses a wheelchair, Polly’s sessions help him connect with others through music.
Amber, on the other hand, has limited verbal communication skills and benefits from music therapy to improve her communication and social interaction abilities. Polly’s tailored approach has significantly boosted Amber’s confidence and communication skills, as noted by her mother.
Ross and Barry were deeply moved by the experience of witnessing the transformative power of music therapy at Kilpatrick School. They emphasised the vital role that Nordoff and Robbins play in providing such essential services.
Aside from the therapy sessions, the band also interacted with students at the school’s radio station, where they spoke to S6 pupils studying National 5 Music. One student, Rhianna, expressed her admiration for Twin Atlantic, highlighting the emotional connection she feels with their music.
The band’s visit to Kilpatrick School not only left a lasting impact on the students but also underscored the incredible benefits of music therapy in supporting individuals with diverse needs.
Overall, Twin Atlantic’s visit to Kilpatrick School highlights the powerful role music can play in facilitating communication, expression, and connection for individuals with additional support needs. The band’s engagement in music therapy sessions and interaction with the students demonstrated the profound impact of music in fostering confidence, communication, and social interaction among young people facing various challenges. Such initiatives not only showcase the transformative power of music but also emphasise the importance of providing inclusive and accessible therapeutic interventions for all individuals, regardless of their abilities.