Sometimes…we just want to feel grounded; to find a place to thrive and belong.
The Melbourne Youth Chorale (MYC) team believes that every child deserves the gift of music regardless of background or ability, which is why it runs the Flying Free Choir for children with additional needs.
Every child is an individual, progressing at their own pace, guided gently, with the goal of eventually joining the mainstream choirs.
‘Sophie’ (not her real name) didn’t care about music at all before she joined.
She couldn’t concentrate in everyday life, struggled to use words, and worried all the time.
Other children were difficult and unpredictable, always noisy and confusing.
It wasn’t easy for her parents, either, to watch their beautiful daughter trapped, stuck, and scared.
Then they found the Flying Free Choir.
It took patience and persistence but, bit by bit, building blocks were created and put in place. The therapists were patient, remembering her name and her parents’ names from the very first time they came.
They encouraged her to dance and sing and play games and, through it all, musical knowledge trickled in.
She even developed the courage to perform at concerts.
Along with the other children in the choir, she learned, and one day she realised she belonged.
Through the nurture and guidance of registered therapists, MYC’s Flying Free Choir is a place where children with additional needs can grow, thrive, and find a place to belong.
Email flyingfree@mychorale.au or call 1800 65 88 62 to get involved.
