Twin Atlantic inspired by visit to West Dunbartonshire school

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Pupils at a West Dunbartonshire school were rocked by a visit from a top indie band.

Ross McNee and Barry McKenna from Twin Atlantic visited Kilpatrick School before the Specsavers Scottish Music Awards to participate in music therapy sessions which were put on by Nordoff and Robbins - the UK’s biggest music therapy charity.

Kilpatrick School is West Dunbartonshire’s biggest additional support needs (ASN) facility, supporting more than 150 pupils from throughout Dumbarton, Alexandria and Clydebank.

Ross and Barry took part in two one-to-one sessions conducted by the school’s Music Therapist Polly Harris.

Polly puts on weekly sessions for children who have additional support needs including 5-year-old Oliver and 11-year-old Amber who met with the band members.

During the sessions, the pupils created music while taking in and responding to Polly’s singing and playing a handful of instruments including the guitar, ukulele, keyboard, and tambourine.

Polly said: “Music therapy supports people to connect and communicate through music who otherwise are unable to.

“The sessions I run are often improvised and led by the child, allowing them to explore their emotions and express themselves.

“My approach is tailored to the specific needs of the child – I play a range of instruments and use vocal sounds which I adapt based on their response. It’s such a joy to see the wonderful impact and progress that music can make”

Oliver has epilepsy, cerebral palsy, is visually impaired and requires a wheelchair.

In the Therapy sessions Polly helps Oliver connect with other people.

She continues: “I try to frame the music to make Oliver feel like he is the musician – he is the soloist; I am just the accompanist interpreting what he is saying.

“Everything is music – his movement, his expressions, the way his eyes are going. I feed off him and try and compose the music for him.”

Polly, Ross and Barry also met up with Amber who has been going to music therapy sessions for two years.

She has limited verbal communications skills and is helped by a speech and language therapist.

Amber has been taking part in music therapy sessions to help improve her communication skills and create social interaction through creative expression.

During the therapy sessions, Amber mirrors Polly’s movements and sounds she makes.

The sessions have had a hugely positive effect on Amber’s confidence and communication.

Amber’s mum said: “My daughter has always loved music but doing music therapy within the school has opened something new for her.

“Amber has gained confidence in communicating and has vocalised so much more since starting the sessions. She is learning in a new and fun way.

“It is so lovely to see the relationship she has with her music therapist, Polly.”

Ross and Barry were moved by the experience of working with Polly.

Ross explained: “This has been incredibly heartwarming and at times quite emotional.

“Seeing music therapy in person is a completely different experience to just hearing about it. The visceral connection between the kids and the music is incredible –watching their eyes open and search for the sound - it’s a phenomenal thing to witness.

“If there was ever any doubt about the value of music therapy, people should witness a session. The work Nordoff and Robbins do is vital.”

Barry added: “Watching the way that Polly uses her voice and the instruments to engage with the kids is really special. I had no idea what to expect but it was incredibly moving.

“The work that Polly does provides a unique and condensed version of that experience, connecting with people who truly need it most. To be part of something that brings joy, escapism and relief to people’s lives is the focus. It’s been amazing to see that first-hand.”

The band also paid a visit to the school’s radio station where they spoke to S6 pupils who are doing National 5 Music.

The radio station is made up completely of students who were keen to interview the band for their podcast.

Rhianna aged 16 who helped create the podcast and had her guitar signed by the band said: “It felt amazing to meet Twin Atlantic. I got introduced to the band by one of the teachers at the school about a year ago and I love them. I look up to them because I feel warmth and emotion from their music. Music in general is important to me because I can relate to it in a lot of ways – music tells life stories through the lyrics which I love.”

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