Education ViVA

Fever
19-20 February 2008
Derby City General Hospital, Nottingham Children's Centre, Rainbows Children's Hospice, Loughborough and Leicester Royal Infirmary

The third phase of the exciting project, Fever, was held in February this year. Creative music-workshop sessions were held at Derby City General Hospital, Nottingham Children's Centre, Rainbows Children's Hospice and a children's ward at Leicester Royal Infirmary with each session centering around the theme of Spring. The sessions gave children and staff the opportunity to have a creative and interactive-musical experience with professional musicians, and the opportunity to hear live music outside the concert hall.

"I felt a part of their orchestra and playing the instruments was just really fun." - Child, DCH

The project was led by Lucy Forde and involved ViVA musicians Matthew Dunn (clarinet) and Tim Gunnell (percussion).

"Some of the children responded to the music in a way that is lovely to see and it make an obvious positive experience. It was lovely to see such accomplished musicians using their talents to bring joy to the children." - Staff, Nottingham Children's Centre

Each session was an hour long at each of the four different venues and throughout these sessions the children were able to have a look at the instruments and to have a chat with the musicians.

"The children gained a lot of sensory stimulation from this musical session. The interaction and involvement the children was given was great. Please come again!" - Staff, Nottingham Children's Centre

During the session the young people worked alongside the musicians to create an original piece inspired by the theme. The children used percussion instruments and voices in the development of their piece and they were also able to make decisions about how and what the musicians played.

"Instruments can be played independently in some way whatever the disability." - Staff, Nottingham Children's Centre

The sessions in each of the venues culminated in a performance of the piece created during the workshop.

"Every single person joined in – both children and adults." - Play Team, Derby City Hospital

The children greatly enjoyed this phase of Fever and are already looking forward to the next edition.

"I enjoyed it all and would love to do it again." - Child, DCH

This project has been generously supported by John Lewis, Arts & Business, Hickinbotham Charitable Trust, Melton Mowbray Building Society, JR Corah Charitable Trust and TS Shipman Trust.

Images from the project...