Last year we launched a client concert series after hearing from families during our evaluation process that some of our clients would like the chance to perform. Children and young people have the opportunity to show off their amazing musical skills to a gathering of friends and family. Our first concert was held in the Pōhutukawa Room of our Grafton Centre in November 2020 and a full house enjoyed songs, piano and harp performances, and even an underwater animal dance choreographed by one of our clients and her Dance Movement Therapy student. This first concert proved to be such a hit that we immediately organised a Christmas concert which featured rousing renditions of holiday favourites such as ‘Jingle Bells’, ‘Feliz Navidad’ and ‘Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer’.

Six year old Lily-Grace was one of the performers in the Christmas concert. She, along with the friend who she attends paired music therapy sessions with, sang ‘Must Be Santa’ and performed a ballet dance set to music from The Nutcracker. Lily-Grace’s mum Amanda wasn’t sure how Lily would do at the concert as one of her biggest fears is being looked at by other people, however, the small audience, familiar space and the support of her family and therapists meant that Lily was able to make it through the performance successfully. Lily has even started staging performances at home, and has stated, “I’ll do another concert”, a great testament to the confidence that Lily has developed through this positive experience.

The concerts have not only been great for the development of self-confidence, they have also provided an opportunity for Raukatauri whānau to connect with each other through shared kai, conversation and play following each performance – another request that families made during our evaluation process. We’re thrilled that our Regional Centres have plans underway to start their own concert series for Northland and Hawke’s Bay families and that we’ve had so many sign-ups for our autumn concert in Auckland that we have to hold two events - one for younger children and one for our teenage clients. We can’t wait to see what our talented musicians have in store for us!