Although six-year-old Marshall was born blind, he has always been fascinated by 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.

Listen to Marshall taking part in his group music session

 

Prior to AMBER's funding, Marshall was a rather self-centred child with few communication skills. His behaviour was obsessive and almost entirely self-related. He took no interest in other children and they found him difficult to interact or communicate with. This awkward, rocking, self-centred, obsessive boy is now developing into a happy, gregarious, accepted member of his social group, and music is the key to helping him to create these vital links to his peer group and to relate to the outside world.

 

  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.

 
What might be Marshall's future Musical Goals or Ambitions
Marshall has enormous musical potential and a great love for music. He has benefitted hugely from his music group and hopes to become an important member of the school choir as well as performing on an instrument. He takes great delight in experimenting with different sounds on his keyboard and narrating stories around these sounds. He enjoys listening to recordings of songs or stories that the group have worked on together. It is very possible that one day, Marshall might be a great song writer and sound engineer.