Con Amore School learners have benefitted a lot from the Music for All initiative
By Simon Manda
JOHANNESBURG, SOUTH AFRICA — The Field Band Foundation’s (FBF) groundbreaking “Music for All” initiative has transformed the educational landscape at Con Amore School in Esterpark, Kempton Park, where learners with autism are experiencing the therapeutic power of music through an innovative partnership with Norwegian music educators.
On February 26, 2025, Con Amore School became the vibrant centre of an extraordinary musical exchange as masters students and professors from the Norwegian Academy of Music (NMH) collaborated with Field Band Foundation representatives to share specialised teaching methods for children with complex disabilities.
The event marked a highlight of the “Chords of Community” project’s final week in South Africa, showcasing the impact of their three-year international partnership.
The “Music for All” initiative, conceptualised by Ushama Ross Jerrier, Acting CEO of the Field Band Foundation, was specifically designed to ensure music education reaches every child regardless of abilities or challenges. “In these turbulent global times, we must relish every opportunity to create solidarity in our common purpose that crosses borders,” noted Jerrier. “Contemporary research shows that when people get together in active music-making, their abilities to bond despite diversities and their social trust is strengthened. We’ve created a framework of support, hope, and creativity that will continue to resound for many years.”
The day’s programme featured four consecutive music workshops with different grade groups gathering in front of the Con Amore School administration block. Norwegian students and the Birchleigh team worked with Con Amore learners, introducing adaptive instruments, sensory-focused activities, and musical experiences that accommodate various sensory sensitivities common in autism.
The results have been remarkable. Laigon Linder, a nonverbal learner at Con Amore School, now actively hums along with the entire band and completes full musical repertoires with impressive precision. His progress exemplifies how music has opened new channels of communication for learners like him who struggle with traditional forms of expression.
“Music functions as both therapy and education for our learners,” explained Marcel Mathys, the Deputy Principal at Con Amore School. “We’ve observed significant improvements in social engagement, emotional regulation, sensory processing, and motor skills development through consistent musical activities.”
Con Amore School Deputy Principal on the benefits of inclusive music programs
The partnership between four key organisations—the Norwegian Academy of Music (project lead), University of the Witwatersrand (South Africa), Field Band Foundation (South Africa), and Norwegian Band Federation—represents a pioneering approach to inclusive music education. Through the “Chords of Community” project, they have worked collectively to raise standards in higher music education while addressing social needs for diversity and inclusion.
Jon Helge Sætre, Associate Professor at the Norwegian Academy of Music, emphasised the reciprocal nature of the partnership: “What we’ve learnt about adaptive teaching methods at Con Amore School will inform our curriculum development back in Norway. This knowledge exchange benefits music education globally.”
Professor Jon Helge Sætre on partnership benefits
The University of the Witwatersrand has contributed academic research expertise to the project, helping document and analyse the impact of inclusive music programmes. Meanwhile, the Norwegian Band Federation has shared valuable insights on community music organisation and teaching methodologies that can be adapted for diverse learning environments.
The February 26 workshops demonstrated how percussion instruments, body percussion, vocal exercises, and movement activities can be adapted to accommodate diverse learning needs. Each session culminated in collaborative performances where visitors and students created music together, proving that inclusive music-making transcends communication barriers.
Birgitte Grong, National Music Consultant at the Norwegian Band Federation, noted, “The techniques we’ve developed together with our South African partners at Con Amore School will enhance our approach to inclusive band programmes in Norway, creating more accessible community music opportunities in both countries.”
Mathulwane “Thuli” Mpshe, Chairman of the Board at Field Band Foundation, remarked: “This cross-cultural partnership has empowered us to extend our reach to communities we previously couldn’t serve effectively. The joint expertise of all four partner organisations has created a comprehensive approach to inclusive music education.”
“The partnership has created a dynamic platform for knowledge sharing and collaboration, focusing on key objectives such as enhancing the quality of higher music education through student and staff exchanges. It’s also about equipping music educators with the tools to promote diversity in the community, focusing on inclusion and accessibility,” Mpshe added.
As the three-year “Chords of Community” project concludes its formal partnership phase, both South African and Norwegian partners are exploring ways to sustain the momentum and expand the impact of their work.
Con Amore learners with the visiting Norwegian students
