Some years ago when I was looking for new challenges and a change
from being Head of Music in a succession of comprehensive schools,
various circumstances came together which enabled me to dip my toe
into the pool of Special Education. There was, inevitably, that moment
of apprehension when, during the process of taking the plunge, my
feet had left the security of dry land but my head had not yet broken
the surface of the deep-end. And then...
One of
the questions I am frequently asked is whether blind people are naturally
better at music than their sighted counterparts. The answer is, in
most instances, No. Anybody will improve at a skill when it is practised
regularly. If we were to be deprived of part, or all, of our visual
sense, we would need to make the most of information gained from our
other senses, including our hearing, in order to understand more effectively
the environment we live in. And as we would learn to rely more upon
what we heard, we would learn to discriminate more and so our potential
application of that received information would be greatly increased.
That would not necessarily turn us all into musicians
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Another
frequently asked question is along the lines of: What about reading
music? Is there a Braille music code? The answer here is, Yes,
but " Yes: there is a Braille music code. But: there are
very few instruments which you can play while, at the same time,
using your hands to read the music? (All right! So you thought
of the mouth organ? But what else?) The only truly successful
way for a blind, or severely visually impaired, musician to play
music is to rely on memory something we would all benefit from
improving! |
I need
not have worried about drowning. I have received plenty of support
and encouragement and, thirteen years later, I am still happily splashing
around making a lot of noise, still facing new challenges and changes
and, more importantly, still having the opportunity to sow the seeds
of musical interest in the lives of young people
| There
are opportunities for youngsters to study for GCSEs and to receive
instrumental tuition from visiting peripatetic teachers, as happens
in mainstream schools. There is a full-time medical team on duty,
and there is a well-established therapy team (including Music
Therapists). Music is, of course, just part of the full National
Curriculum which is taught throughout the school. |
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The West
of England School caters, above all, for pupils with visual impairment
but many pupils have additional difficulties which are well cared
for by the experienced and caring staff.
For further
information about the school please visit: www.westengland.devon.sch.uk
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