Special Needs Music Lessons Steve Harper

Helping Youngsters and Adults

I have over 30 years’ experience of working with youngsters and adults with a large range of abilities and disabilities. I was based at an all-age special school in Coventry for 22 years; and have also worked in many other special schools, main stream schools, social education centres, care homes, colleges, private homes and other learning environments.

My passion is for helping youngsters and adults experience, create and interact with music despite any condition they may have – connecting with the people behind their disability via music. Over the years, I have found my own style/approach; using – song, movement, music technologies, sensory based activities, interactions with sound, sound stories, musical expression, creating group pieces and live playing.

I particularly enjoy situations where I can be most flexible and adaptable to the needs of the people I am working with – being able to improvise and change where the moment and feel of the situation require it.

I am now doing free-lance work for special needs schools, special needs music charities and music hubs.

I offer individual music sessions to children and adults with any level and range of disability/ability. There is, most definitely, a way in for everyone.

I also offer music workshops and sessions in schools, colleges and education centres.

Charities and organisations I am regularly working with include -

The Amber Trust - www.ambertrust.org
Soundabout - www.soundabout.org.uk
SENSE - www.sense.org.uk
Cam Sight - www.camsight.org.uk
Vision Norfolk - www.visionnorfolk.org.uk
Solihull Music Hub - www.solihullmusicservice.com

Schools I am regularly working with -

Reynald’s Cross School, Solihull
Tiverton School, Coventry
Sherbourne Fields School, Coventry
Merstone School, Solihull

Songs for the Special School

These thirteen songs are a series aimed at youngsters with a wide range of need and age. They can be used in the classroom to help structure music lessons, but also at home to enjoy with families. The songs take us through a format for a lesson with:- a starting song; action songs; themed, sensory based songs; instrument songs; relaxing songs; and ending songs.

There are different versions of some of the songs, with spaces left for students’ ideas and choice on the alternate versions, with spaces left for individual names in many cases.

Although intended for Special Schools, everyone is welcome to use these songs in any appropriate setting where people enjoy experiencing and participating in music.

STARTING SONG

Let's Get Ready

Students can sing, sign and listen to the music and words of the song; introducing us to the start of the music session.

ACTION SONGS

Clap your Hands

An action song with a range of different actions and movements to do together. The same action song, but with gaps for individual students’ names to individualise the song.

Clap your Hands (individual)

The same action song, but with gaps for individual students’ names to individualise the song.

Clap your Hands (own ideas)

The same action song, but with the middle section left blank for students’ own ideas and names.

All Day Long

An action song with simple movements including; swaying, rocking, stretching, rubbing – aimed at students with a higher level of need.

Everybody’s Dancing

An action song to get up and dance/move/sing to.

Everybody’s Dancing (own ideas)

The same song but with spaces for students’ ideas.

THEMED/SENSORY SONGS

The Weather Song

A themed song, including a verse for each type of weather. This can be used as a sensory song, with different sensory activities for each type of weather. Students can sing and sign with the vocals, but there is also space after each verse for students to sing and sign on their own.

Getting About

A themed song, including a verse for different types of transport – driving in a car, flying in a plane, riding on a bike and sailing on a boat. This can be used as a sensory song, with different sensory activities for each type of transport. Students can sing and sign along to the song.

Getting About (own ideas)

The same transport themed song, but with spaces for the students’ own ideas.

Lots of Things

A themed ‘doing things’ song, looking at specific activities at school and home. This can be used as a sensory song, with different sensory activities for each type of activity. Students can sing and sign along with the vocals of the song, but there is also space for students to sing and sign on their own.

Lots of Things (own ideas)

The same ‘doing things’ song, but this time with spaces for students to choose the activities at school and home.

INSTRUMENT SONGS

Let’s Hear you Play

An instrument song that encourages students to play, listen to and feel sounds. There are opportunities to play together, individually and to wait for your turn.

Let’s Hear you Play (own choice)

The same instrument song that encourages students to play, listen to and feel instruments and sounds of their choice. There are opportunities to play together, individually and wait your turn.

It Goes Like This!

An instrument song focussing on choosing instruments, tempo and dynamics.

RELAXING SONGS

Listening Quietly

A relaxing song to calm down with.

Stroking Time

A gentle song aimed at students with a higher level of need. Giving opportunities for students to be stroked on their shoulders, head, neck, hands, fingers, arms, legs, feet, toes, cheek and face.

FINISHING SONGS

Time to Stop

A gentle end to the music session.

Ending Song

An upbeat end to the music session.

Composed by Steve Harper
Performed by Steve Harper and Michael Groth
Produced by Michael Groth