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Joe, how does music make you feel?
Well, loved
Makes you feel loved?
Rowan is a small, special school
for primary aged children
who have complex speech,
language and communication difficulties.
I like music because
it's my favourite thing in the world.
Many of our children have
autistic spectrum disorders
a group of lifelong conditions
that affect how a person communicates with
and relates to other people.
OK guys. So, who likes music?
Oh, I do. I do.
Children with an autistic spectrum disorder
don't develop the social and language skills
that other children do and as a result
they find relating to other people difficult
and may also have learning difficulties.
I played with a guitar and a drum kit
We all know what joy music can bring
to each and every one of us
but at the Rowan, music, in many guises,
enables our children to learn and develop
in ways that were never thought possible.
The impact of the music
we try our hardest to deliver at the Rowan
throughout the curriculum is truly astonishing
from the youngest children of five years old
through to our eleven year olds.
From seemingly the smallest things
like enjoying rhythms through a vibration cushion
through to using software on the computer
to create moods for scenes and their own compositions,
the children learn valuable life skills
that many of us simply take for granted.
For some of our children,
the specialist delivery of music therapy
on a one-to-one basis is incredibly valuable;
these children often connect with music
unlike any other medium, in such a special way.
Imagine the joy of a child
whose communication skills are limited
being able to respond by making music
on an array of instruments,
responding to rhythms,
listening with bright lit-up eyes
and communicating in a way that was never to be expected.
Imagine the joy of a group of children,
enabled by our therapy,
to come together, to sing together,
to grow and develop together,
to have fun and grow in understanding.
We need your help.
Whilst music plays an integral part in our curriculum
we are not always able to find the means
to provide those children who need it
with the extra therapy that they so desperately need.
When you need cheering up,
how easy is it for you to pop on your favourite music
to lift your spirits?
Imagine the benefit you can give
to our children by your donations.
Your donations will do more than simply lift spirits,
they will contribute to the growth and development
of a very special group of children.
Please be generous.
If music matters to you,
please, please give to our children
for whom music matters most.