Jamie – see A child like Jamie, who loves to compose his own pieces, has written this special Christmas song for you to enjoy. Just click on the big arrow in the middle of the picture and listen to Jamie singing his song.
As well as playing the piano and keyboard, Jamie has an amazing voice and loves to sing. He is now a member of three different choirs and blossoms when he is with them. Here he is singing the song he chose to sing for you for Christmas – "Chestnuts roasting on an open fire".
Although 6-year-old Marshall was born blind, he has enormous musical potential and a great love for music, which, with AMBER's help, he now explores to the full. His regular sessions with his early years music specialist, Laura, has allowed him to channel his innate musicality, helping him to develop personally, physically and socially.
Before AMBER's funding, Marshall was a lonely and isolated boy with few communication skills. But now he is the most popular member of his music therapy group, leading the singing and remembering all the words. This once awkward, rocking, self-centred, obsessive boy is fast developing into a happy, gregarious child and music has been the key.
Listen to Marshall taking part in his group music session
Thanks to AMBER, Marshall is making good progress on his keyboard, learning to use his perfect pitch to relate to it. He enjoys composing his own music and loves to write short songs about his experiences. He now has a repertoire of pieces about hairdryers, pizzas and riding a bike, as well as a "Hello" song for the group. He has a lovely singing voice and an excellent memory for song lyrics and melodies. He also enjoys playing his violin and loves to play duets with his music teacher. It is very possible that one day, Marshall might be a great song writer and sound engineer.
Marshall's mother Michelle says: "Marshall has always been attracted to sounds and music from an early age. We have encouraged this with enthusiasm on all available levels. With AMBER's support we have been able to take his interest much, much further. He loves his music lessons with Laura, which have helped him to make new friends while learning about his favourite subject."
AMBER continues to help even the very youngest children, such as two-year-old Verity, who has severe sight problems, as well as global development delay and epilepsy. However, Verity responds to sound and light, and has always enjoyed the sound of music.
An AMBER Music Award has enabled Verity to have Music Therapy Lessons with a professional teacher, Linda. The aim of these vital lessons is to provide a safe space in which Verity can build a trusting relationship with Linda, using shared music-making and improvisation to increase social interaction, communication skills, self-expression and self-awareness.
Verity becomes exicted as soon a Linda arrives for a lesson, kicking her feet in anticipation. She makes good use of the instruments and usually sustains attention and focus for the whole session. Verity often reaches for the guitar during the "Hello" song and she has recently started to pluck the strings of the guitar with care and intention, making a loud, clear sound. She has also discovered that she can 'strum' the guitar with her foot and will sometimes bang the strings with her whole hand. She plays the ocean drum, cymbal and Turkish drum with both feet in rhythmic bursts.
Verity's music therapy teacher, Linda, says: “Verity continues to grow more confident and expressive in her use of the instruments, as well as becoming more communicative vocally and interacting more closely with me. She uses the medium of music to process the difficult feelings of anger and frustration she inevitably experiences and often reaches a state of calm and enjoyment through musical interaction and sharing.
For the past four years, The AMBER Trust has supported Eleanor and her brother, Joseph, who both have a rare eye condition, called Achromatopsia. This means that they cannot see colours, things appear blurry, and bright light is painful. But 11-year-old Eleanor's world is completely immersed in music.
Eleanor playing at a concert at the Hilton
She has an amazing musical ear and since finding music, her self-confidence and esteem has soared. Eleanor enjoys nothing more than performing in front of an audience.
An AMBER Music Award enables Eleanor to attend the Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama, where she studies the piano and clarinet and takes singing lessons. She is making great progress and fast developing her passion and talent.
Her father, Gareth, says that Eleanor "comes alive" in the atmosphere of the college.
Eleanor and Joseph's father, Gareth, says: "I cannot fully express my gratitude to The AMBER Trust for making it possible for my children to pursue their musical ambitions. It has truly changed their lives. Thanks to this wonderful charity, Eleanor and Joseph now receive firs-class tuition and have a clear purpose and road ahead. Thank you again.
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