23.7. 1993 Vitoria-Gasteiz / Spain - World Federation of Music Therapy

together with the choir. Two traditional Norwegian songs were
taken as a point of departure... One of these songs - a
springsong - was arranged with a long impovisational
introduction. The atmosphere of spring was created by
birdflutes, percussion instruments and voices. In this music-
making the members of "Upbeat" were the skilledones. They
now had more experience in improvisation than the members of
the choir. Instead of being"handicapped and unskilled" they
could experience themselves as skilled musicians!
The (out-door) concert of the 17th of May was a
success. "Upbeat" and the choir played and sang,
improvised and smiled together. It was springtime! We
were satisfied, and we had done our first experience
with a way of work we chose to call period-collaboration.
In a period-collaboration a group of handicapped
musicians work out musical products together with a
choir, a brass band or another musical organisation in
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the community. In this process the social interaction
between the musicians is seen as very important.
The musical products that evolve will be a synthesis of
the musical competence of the two "partners". The
musical organisations of the community therefore may
have to change their concepts of quality. In "Upbeat's"
collaboration with the choir, the quality of improvisation
and spontanity was made visible (and audible). The
members of "Upbeat" were here the skilled ones. This
was stimulating for "Upbeat".
How then, could we realise their first dream, to play with
the brass band? After two years with practice in
improvisation and structured activities, after quite a few
concerts and periodcollaborations we found that the
time was there. The headmaster of the Community