Musical therapy ends with successful performance
Acclaimed musicians conduct sessions with special needs children in Al Ain
Abu Dhabi: A musical performance was held recently, by children with special needs in Al Ain.
The performance was part of a week-long series of workshops, organised by the Zayed Higher Organisation for Humanitarian Care, Special Needs and Minors' Affairs, with support from the Abu Dhabi Music and Arts Foundation (Admaf) and Emirates Foundation.
The Admaf stepped up its efforts to provide enhanced access to the arts to the wider community by supporting the music therapy workshops for the children.
Four musicians from the UK-based Live Music Now conducted a series of workshops with the theme: "Al Ain Past and Present."
The workshops provided special needs children with the opportunity to compose music and enhance their creative and performing skills.
The Music Therapy Week also included training sessions on special education for students from the Women's Higher College of Technology in Al Ain and teacher training sessions for music teachers and therapists.
The workshops concluded with a final performance that featured a unique musical piece called "Life in Al Ain" composed especially for this occasion by Bede Williams, a prominent Live Music Now musician who has played with the BBC Scottish, New Zealand Symphony and Auckland Philharmonia.
This premiere performance was presented by special needs children, students from the Women's Higher College of Technology and musicians from Al Ain.
Promoting opportunities
Admaf's support of Music Therapy Week in Al Ain comes as part of the Memorandum of Understanding signed with the Zayed Higher Organisation for Humanitarian Care in April.
The agreement has the aim of promoting recreational and cultural opportunities in the performing arts for individuals with disabilities and special needs.
Extensive programme
The initiative is part of the foundation's extensive educational programme, which seeks to support local talent and encourage creative thinking among the Emirati youth through lectures, workshops, training sessions and awards schemes in a variety of fields related to arts, culture and the media.
Admaf's cooperation with Live Music Now started in the 2008 Abu Dhabi Festival when the group conducted special workshops for children with special needs across Abu Dhabi.
Live Music Now is the largest provider of live music in the UK's welfare, special needs, educational, justice and health sectors with a unique resource of professional musicians.
