a day ago
Music programs hitting the right note to support youth wellbeing
Whether it's memories of singing or playing the recorder, learning music can begin at an early age. "Well, it depends who you ask but there is a famous quote by a Hungarian ethnomusicologist, composer and educator (Zoltán Kodály) who said 9 months before the birth of the mother (is the age to begin music learning). So I think that sums it up quite nicely. It is never too young. But of course it needs to be age and developmentally appropriate." That's Dr Jason Goopy, a researcher and a music educator who has spent 15 years teaching in Australian primary and secondary schools. He has been trying to connect the dots - and figure out the role that music learning can play in supporting the wellbeing of young people. From the ages of five to 25 - what impact does engagement with music have when it comes to aspects of wellbeing, including emotional regulation, building relationships and promoting positive mental health? Sifting through the research, he helped to identify 423 sources which were then whittled down even further - to keep the research goal in focus. Australia and the UK emerged as the key countries where the most work has been done. "Well what is really interesting is that this is an emerging field. And we did actually do an international scoping review of all the literature globally, but predominantly research is currently situated in Australia and the UK. And that is obviously something that as a global community and a scholarly community - it needs addressing." He says there were clear trends that emerged from his review, published in the peer-reviewed journal Research Studies in Music Education. "The motivation behind this study wasn't necessarily to look at how to create professional musicians. It was how can we be our best selves through learning music. And so the benefits that we're seeing relate to social confidence. Relate to healthy relationships, relate to social cohesion, emotional regulation, identity development. There are also educational benefits, in terms of accomplishment and achievement. And these kind of benefits that are experienced through music we found are directly transferable to other aspects of life. And to those who are most vulnerable in the community, we found that they benefit the most. Achievement in music can translate to achievement in other areas of life very easily." The review also pointed to the factors that make a music learning program effective for the wellbeing outcomes of young people - across different settings, whether in a school or as a community initiative. Tailored and bespoke programs were particularly effective at targeting certain population groups like Indigenous youths, those with a disability; or others from a refugee or migrant background. "There is quite a mix within this scoping review - and they include people who are disengaged in schools, to those who are struggling to connect with the current schooling system. There are also those who are experiencing mental health challenges. There is also included in the study - also music in prisons for young people who are incarcerated and in contact with the criminal justice system. So the whole range of contexts that we have engaged within this particular study, which is why we wanted to go beyond school. Because music is having a powerful influence even beyond school, in the community. But yes, we're finding yes, it's characteristics and properties of music that is making a difference - but also the social aspects of doing music. Music is fundamentally a social practice - and coming together to make music, even beyond listening to music we're finding is having substantial benefits to individuals and their communities." The power of music to help support young people to thrive is something that Dom Brook is deeply acquainted with. "When you get it into shaping your story and having a voice especially for a young person or adolescent who haven't find their purpose or voice, music or lyric writing helps you with your emotions. It helps you have a voice a suppose. Find your sense of purpose and move through some of those maybe troubling emotions - and make sense of them. Music is the counsellor for that." At the age of 17, a second-hand guitar played an important role in helping him to get through some tough times. "I had an upbringing that was all over the place and no father figure. Quite poor. It was the next door neighbour that believed in me. He was throwing out a guitar and wanted to give it to someone who would use it. And it was at that point that I was just getting into finding my voice through music very late in the picture. Never did music in school. So I was about 16, 17. And I paid for a songwriting camp for me to go to. And this camp was one of those lifechanging moments that I came back from this camp knowing that I wanted the voice that I had found, the purpose that I found through music. Something was just sparked inside of me to help others - and change lives through music." More than 20 years ago, he decided to do that with a youth mentoring program, Musicians Making a Difference - also known by its acronym MMAD. The in-person outreach is in New South Wales and Queensland, with online programs extending access nationally. He says the mission is to help at-risk youth find their future direction - whether that be in music or in fields like journalism. "Young people out of juvenile justice refuges, kids that are homeless. Kids even from pretty good families, but they're sorting out stuff. But I would say the majority are at-risk young people. We create this special environment where at MMAD it's family. And where there is freedom from judgement. There is no judgement. It is a place they can be themselves. It is a place where they can find their childlike self again. And find confidence in that and then go onto make their lives remarkable. The funny thing about MMAD is our vision is to see have every young person have someone who believes in them. And we use music because it is such a powerful tool to be able to breakdown those barriers and find what is special about young people - and their journey." The work has been transformative for graduates like Daniel Harvey, these days known by the stage name D Minor. The musical artist found a knack for writing rap lyrics - a skill that was honed when he joined the program at the age of 14. At the time he was referred by a youth counsellor. "I had been through so much at that stage. Foster care, refuge system, being a state ward. And not having a sense of belonging or feeling accepted anywhere. And then meeting MMAD just feeling like I belong someone, feeling that there was a bigger, purpose for me. Just having someone who believes in you - and being able to share my music. Having someone to encourage me through that process. And kind of use that music as a tool and outlet to overcome some hurt and pain, yeah." That included communicating his experience of being homeless at the age of 11. And it took him on stage to audition for Australia's Got Talent in 2019, with an original song entitled 'Concrete Pillow'. That took him in the direction of continuing to cultivate his skills in storytelling. He says the impact it has had on him is almost beyond words. "If someone can listen to my music and they can feel like okay, they can overcome something. I should be able to share that (my story). And that for me is incredible. And especially, when there is a message behind it to raise awareness of the situation. It is quite big - and not something that I ever imagined. But the journey has been incredible." For Jason Goopy, the early experiences people have with music are incredibly powerful. He says the potential in supporting people to thrive has yet to be fully realised. "I think it is time for the federal government in particular is stepping up to make sure that every child has access to a music and arts education, regardless of the postcode, regardless of the family they were born into. It is essential for a complete education. And we're talking about a better, fairer education system. Music has to be part of that. There is no question."
