“In that the recital now is in its 14th year, many students don’t know the history of the recital,” Dr. Gene Behrens, professor of music, said. Fourteen years ago, some of the families of children with special needs who attended music therapy sessions at Elizabethtown College’s on-campus clinic started a very important conversation. The families wanted to know how their children with special needs can participate in the recital experience. That is when Behrens got the idea for the Open Door Recital. “That was the beginning idea for a recital that would meet the needs of children, especially those with special needs,” Behrens said.
“The name of the recital reflects that they are open to all children and that we literally keep the doors open in case parents decide their children need to take a short break,” Behrens said. This open environment prevents the children from feeling restricted and lets them enjoy themselves without worry. This also takes away anxiety for parents. The lack of restrictions on the audience also makes the recital more kid-friendly.
To promote even more kid-friendliness, the recital brought an interactive side to this musical experience. Behrens played a role in organizing these recitals to encourage all forms of expression. For each of the three-minute classical music selections the children perform related actions during the song. Meanwhile, the music therapy students not on stage interacted with the children.
At the recital, the children rubbed together two small pieces of sandpaper, during the “Sandpaper Ballet” by Leroy Anderson, while two soloists played sand blocks. This scene captured the children in the audience and helped them form meaningful connections to the songs to help them recall this recital in the future.
For the harp solo, “The Good Little King of Yvetot” by Marcel Grandjany, the children tapped rhythm tubes to the beat of the music. One of the music therapy students danced around the room wearing a cardboard box horse. “He will wear a crown and cape, as he is the king of his country,” Behrens explained. The increased stimulation around the room lets the children divide their attention between the moving horse, the other children and the actual performance. Each child may have a different attachment to the experience, and thus will better remember it later because of the interactive environment.
“We also wanted the children to have a complete recital experience, so everyone attending is sent tickets that the children hand to the ticket taker at the door,” Behrens said. This allows the children to fully appreciate the recital experience. This is a great lesson to instill early on for children who may want to continue attending recitals in their future. Once inside the decorations clearly show where the children’s attention should be focused.
The children also receive a kid-friendly program filled with pictures. The end result of all the work put into making this recital came out beautifully. It was clear that so much attention to detail went into the production of this event. Afterward, the children attend a reception with finger foods, and the chance to speak with the performers. Ending the event this way lets the children and parents walk away with new experiences, new songs and new friends.
“The Open Door Recital” has become an inspiring experience for everyone involved, including children, parents and the students. It truly is all about sharing the joy of music that enriches all of our lives,” Behrens said.
