Music as a Global Resource: - International Council for Caring ...

SECTIONS:
Music for Mental and Physical Health
Music for Lifelong Learning
COUNTRY:
Costa Rica
PROJECT:
A LATIN PERCUSSION ENSEMBLE FOR SPECIAL NEEDS CHILDREN: ENSAMBLE DE
PERCUSIÓN INCLUSIÓN
DESCRIPTION:
The project began in 2000 as a way to provide the opportunity for music learning and performance to
students from age five to forty with Asperger or Down syndromes, autism, cerebral palsy, and hearing
impairments, among other conditions and syndromes at the Music School of Mercedes located in the
mostly rural northern province of Heredia. The objective of the program is to promote the expressive and
creative musical potential of these people with special needs through a Latin percussion workshop. At
every session, the students are guided into full, sequenced group activities as a percussion ensemble. They
learn percussion performance techniques, especially Latin percussion (i.e. samba, meringue, and salsa), in
accordance to their physical capacities. In addition, the students are also encouraged to explore their
potential as musicians and team members. Confidence, perseverance, and creativity are only some of the
pivotal values developed in the learning and performing processes.
Since the outset of the project, the ensemble director foresaw the need to transcend formal music learning
in order to stimulate the performing and expressive potential of students. Becoming an independent
ensemble contributed to achieving this goal. The ensemble director reports a significant improvement in
physical skills (i.e. motor coordination) mental health (i.e. concentration skills, confident and optimistic
attitudes, positive self-image) and social skills (i.e. communication with peers) in students, and overall a
more productive life.
CURRENT STATUS:
The ensemble has presented almost 300 concerts in schools, universities, government institutions,
churches, throughout the country. Despite its success, the program still requires funding, material, and
logistical support to continue carrying out its work.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:
http://www.aldia.cr/ad_ee/2004/octubre/24/sociedad0.html
CONTACT INFORMATION:
Contact Person: Professor Enrique Aguilar-Ruiz
Phone: + (506) 2237-7434 / + (506) 8387-1463
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