Education ViVA

Fever: Time Travel
Royal Derby Hospital, Nottingham Children's Centre; Rainbows Children's Hospice, Loughborough and Leicester Royal Infirmary
29-30 March 2010

"Lively and bubbly musicians – they brightened up the room." - Staff, Rainbows Children's Hospice

The most recent Fever sessions were led by workshop leader Lucy Forde with Clare Bhabra (violin) and Matt Dunn (bass clarinet) from ViVA. The team first visited Nottingham Children's Centre then the Royal Derby Hospital and the following day there were workshops at Rainbows Children's Hospice in Loughborough and Leicester Royal Infirmary. These workshops were based around the theme of Time Travel and during the hour long sessions the participants got to hear music from the past and present and they also got to create their own piece of music from the future.

"Feeling good and happy is always a good thing. The young people were able to be involved in the music activities and played what they liked and felt included." - Carer, Rainbows Children's Hospice

Lucy, Clare and Matt performed a selection of trios and there was the opportunity for the children and their carers to join in with the musicians and perform along side them using a variety of percussion instruments. The participants also learnt about each of the instruments and got to see and hear them close up as the musicians moved round the room to demonstrate their instrument individually. Many of the children enjoyed feeling the bass clarinet vibrate as it was played.

"I really enjoyed it and it made me smile." - Participant

When creating their own piece of music from the future the participants were able to get creative suggesting what should be in the piece and what instruments should be used. In performing their newly created piece some of the participants were able to conduct all the players counting them in, controlling the dynamic and showing everyone when to stop. Some of the participants also enjoyed the opportunity to dance to the music.

"I liked playing with the instruments." - Participant

The sessions provided the opportunity for the participants and their carers to enjoy music whether they just listened to the musicians or got creative joining in with them and making their own music. Everyone enjoyed the workshops and showed great enthusiasm when playing with the musicians.

"The atmosphere during and after the session was brilliant. Everyone was upbeat and all feeling good." - Carer, Rainbows Children's Hospice

This project has been generously supported by Liz and Terry Bramall Charitable Trust, Leeds Building Society Charitable Foundation, The C Charitable Trust, The Thomas Farr Charity and Boots Charitable Trust.