The remarkable power of music

The Inspiration Orchestra is a project aimed at enabling disabled people to play beautiful music, as Gayle finds out

Techno, classical, death metal, hip-hop, rock ‘n’roll or jazz – the genre doesn’t matter. What does matter is that everyone, no matter what colour, creed or culture, can be soothed, energised, moved and healed by music. In Perth the power of music is being celebrated through the Inspiration Orchestra. Led by singer/songwriter Ian White, the project sees him teach music to severely disabled adults via the charity Home Visit and then offers them the chance to perform concerts.

“I hadn’t had much experience of being around people with profound disabilities and saw myself as being separate from them and unconnected,” says Ian, when I meet him at a rehearsal. “However, this false and rather naive perception has changed and I now realise every one of us can make a positive and meaningful contribution regardless of skill or ability.”

A group of 19 people with a range of disabilities, including brain damage, spina bifida, Down’s syndrome and various genetic conditions, are taking part. The orchestra’s “mascot”, bichon frise Tilly, curls up on someone’s lap while guitar strings are tweaked and keyboards tapped.

So, how does it work? It’s about breaking it down into basic components, explains Ian. “Most of my players can use one finger on each hand, as a minimum starting point,” he says.

“They use electronic keyboards and I construct special stands customised for each player. “If they can read but need help with note identification, I write on the note names in large letters.

“If they can’t read, I go for colour identification. One pupil, although very limited in hand control, is a great learner and has successfully memorised all the note positions with no assistance from letters or colours.”

With a careful choice of songs, Ian can pick pieces which have constant notes running through them or that require minimal changes. Ed Sheeran’s Perfect, for example, has quite a complicated melody line, but it’s possible for a keyboard player to hold one single note that works through the whole song.

“For songs that need one simple note change, I use a light system with a foot switch,” says Ian. “I press the switch and a light comes on in front of the player so they know to change note.”

Ian also modifies guitars so they have one string. This means players with very limited use of one finger can simply reach out and pluck the string. For pupils with no arm or hand control, he’s devised a computer system where notes are activated by eye movement.

“My goal is to enable anyone who wants to participate in music to get involved,” says Ian. “Although I’ve had years of touring and recording with professional musicians, this project is the most rewarding thing I’ve ever done.”

Sarah Chapman, 32, who has cerebral palsy and is partially blind, tells me she started off playing one note on the keyboard but can now can play chords. “Being part of the orchestra makes me so happy,” she adds.

Sitting down at a keyboard, I follow Ian’s instructions and I play my part in the Inspiration Orchestra. What an honour that is. The sound we make is not, as some might imagine, a jarring cacophony but is, in fact, beautiful music. We fire through 11 songs and the rousing finale is Dancing in the Street.

Throughout the session, everyone beams from ear to ear – rarely have I witnessed so much unadulterated joy in one room! The biggest grins come from Jemmelyn, who plays an uplifting keyboard solo mid-song. And Brian Lynch is ecstatic, belting out the lyrics, when we play his favourite Westlife song.

“Able-bodied people wanting to join an orchestra have to receive individual tuition, practise as a group, then overcome the nerves of playing in public,” Ian says. “All I’ve done is try to duplicate that in the disabled community.”

Margaret Benson, whose disabled son David is on keyboards, helps Ian on a regular basis. “The orchestra has been life-changing for David – the smile on his face says it all,” she says.

“Each person plays a small part but when they come together, it’s symphonic. It’s a huge boost to their confidence and gives them a sense of self-worth.”