M

usic is a universal language. This slogan seems to be so cliché, but I only find it to be more and more powerful. I am a music student, a pianist. Coming from Surabaya, I am pursuing my doctorate degree at the Royal College of Music (RCM), London.

I had the opportunity to collaborate with my professor, Nigel Clayton, in presenting a workshop entitled '€œThe power of music to touch and change people'€™s lives.'€ This whole event has been a living testimony for me about how music can really unite people for such special qualities that it has.

One focal point of our discussion was about the distinct qualities of music. How it transcends many human barriers (such as: language, social classes and human conditions like health, physicality, etc).

Music is also a very human thing. It is present in our daily lives, it is present within us like a special gift for one to develop and enjoy, it unifies and connects people (how beautiful it is to see people from different backgrounds playing music together peacefully!), and thus, it has the ability to help people although not in a necessarily obvious way (for example: emotional healing, psychological help, although at times it can be proven physically too).

Now, what does music have to do with special needs children and why did it have such an impact on me? The term special needs has always disturbed me. Why are these children given more attention just because we consider them to have difficulties and in need of more help than normal people? What does the term '€˜normal people'€™ refer to and who are we to judge who is '€˜normal'€™ anyway?

I am aware of their '€˜difficulties'€™ because of what they have courageously faced in their lives: autism, blindness, or other challenges. As a music teacher, I often encounter these children and can only learn from them more and more each time.

During the workshop, we came to be reminded that essentially we shared the same dignity as human beings and we needed to learn that these children, instead of being treated as those with special needs, they should be treated as gifted!

In musical activities for example, one of the boys'€™ motor accuracy on the piano was incredible; another boy showed incredible memory and motor accuracy and showed such a mature sense of freedom in playing music; another girl sang a traditional song with such amazing tone color and pitch accuracy while another little boy sang in perfect English, which he learnt through imitation.

Even though they learnt music in a non-conventional way, they are all gifted and they are willing to share their gift! Their perseverance to be able to master the music was inspiring. Their sense of joy, fearless and imaginative approach to life were just an eye-opener. In other words, they reminded me that all of us have '€˜special needs'€™ in one way or another.

We all need to help each other to become better people who are special for we are all unique as individuals. And we can do that by realizing all our talents, and for these children, music has been a way to unlock their hidden gifts.

In this New Year, it'€™s a good occasion to be grateful and start sharing our gifts with one another!

Maria Immaculata Setiadi
Surabaya