Jess Tomlinson(Clarinettist)and Polly Virr(Celloist)spent 16 weeks delivering a music residency on Ward 85, 75 and Outpatients at Royal Manchester Children's Hospital as part of a Lime Music for Health music programme funded by Manchester Foundation Trust Charity. This music has been created and recorded during the covid-19 lockdown in celebration of this residency and for families and patients in RMCH to enjoy during this time of isolation. 

#M4H2020 #musicforhealth #clarinet #cello

Flower Duet

A piece from the Spring Section of our Sound Environments project in PICU and HDU at Royal Manchester Children’s Hospital. Gentle rolling guitar riffs set a scene of an early morning in Spring, the sun is rising and the mist hangs the air. All is calm before the day begins. https://mvfisher.net/

Spring Mist

A piece from the Summer Section of our Sound Environments project in PICU and HDU at Royal Manchester Children’s Hospital. Melodies float by and slowly drift in and out setting a scene of a warm summer’s evening watching the sunset; take a moment to slow down and enjoy. https://mvfisher.net/

Summer Evening

A piece from the Autumn Section of our Sound Environments project in PICU and HDU at Royal Manchester Children’s Hospital. Minimalist musical patterns tell the story of autumn leaves   – red, gold, green and brown – blowing in the breeze, falling and spinning until they reach the ground. Surges in the music hint of winter to come. https://mvfisher.net/

Autumn Walk

When we arrive at the hospital ward we often begin our session with our Songbirds theme tune. It helps staff and children know we are there, and it gives a clear signal that we will be making visits around the ward to make music with children and families. Composed by Mark, this version features guitar and melodica. The sun is in the sky, there are white fluffy clouds and a gentle breeze: The Songbirds begin their flight. https://mvfisher.net/

Songbirds Theme

“Standing here watching my son dancing I know exactly what my child is, he is a candle, a beacon of light, a flame that cannot be put out, he is firecracker, he is the sun, he is a laser beam, he is light in its purest form.” 
Pure combines Mark and Ros' Songbirds theme tune with Keisha’s narrative of family experiences of hospital, and their thoughts on how music supports them and their children.

Pure

“One day a girl whispered in my ear to see if I would talk, she noticed the ridges on my back and the little stick slotted next to my foot, she pulled it out and started to scrape, I made a sound that she’d never heard before.” 
During Songbirds sessions we noticed that lots of the children loved to play our little blue Guiro Frog. Keisha brings Guiro Frog to life so that everyone can hear the stories he has to tell.

Guiro Frog

“It shouldn’t feel odd to hear music, should it? Music is normal, melodies coming naturally to us, but what is your idea of nature when you have lived on a ward?"
In hospital, music travels, touches, shares, comforts, heals and celebrates. Keisha describes its journey, based on her fieldwork visits to observe music making sessions on the Songbirds ward.

Lullaby

Music Moodzz activity track 4: listen,play along, record your own part

Friday Feeling

Clapping and vocal exercise with RNCM students in 2017.

Clapping In Circle

We learned a range of 'mouth sounds' from children during Songbirds sessions which became part of our musical vocabulary during music-making and musical interactions. Using kisses, hums, whistles, raspberries and mouth pops supported children to be creative musical communicators. Here are some examples.

Raspberries

Mouth Pop 2

Mouth  Pop 1

Lip Smacks

Kisses

Humhwhistles

Clicks

Cheek Slap

Songbirds Music UK deliver music-making programmes in healthcare and community settings specialising in working with children and young people with complex needs and disabilities

Songbirds Music UK

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