The Magic Of Music Therapy

28th June 2021 | Words by Liza Oliver

"Those who do not believe in magic will never find it." 

- Roald Dahl

Dr Margaret Lobo - OKMT Founder

I met Dr Margaret Lobo in 2016, shortly after joining the ArtSocial Foundation Trustee Board. It's been five years since that meeting, but her radiating smile and energy makes it feel like it was only yesterday. Margaret is the founder and Patron of The Otakar Kraus Music Trust (OKMT) – a charity that ArtSocial have supported for nearly four years. Together with her husband Walter Lobo, Margaret founded The Otakar Kraus Music Trust in 1991 in memory of opera singer and voice teacher Otakar Kraus, who helped her to recover her voice after it was damaged.

What started as a small music studio in their back garden grew into a trust with an extraordinary range of projects designed to help people with physical, psychological, behavioural and learning difficulties. OKMT welcomes everyone and offers them the ability to reach their potential through the power of music.

"After hearing Margaret speak about the children at OKMT, it's impossible to walk away without wanting to get involved with the charity one way or another" - is a phrase I've heard many times from staff, Trustees, parents and supporters. It is Margaret's unequivocal belief in the power of music to unlock every child's potential––even those considered beyond reach––that proves Roald Dahl's words so true.

30 Years of Making a Difference Through Music

Today, OKMT operates in 15 venues in South West London, providing over 3,000 music therapy sessions for over 300 people a year. One of the charity's major projects is the OK Music School, where qualified Music Therapists teach children to sing and play musical instruments. Made up of 70 pupils, there is a constant waiting list - even with very little publicity! But it's hardly surprising when the support that OKMT offers is truly unique.

ArtSocial Patrons visiting students at the OK Music School

Some students with special education needs or disabilities arrive at OK Music School with limited verbal and communication skills – despite this, these students learn to perform in public concerts throughout the year. Additionally, 15 students have passed ABRSM music exams– a breath-taking fact that astonishes me still today.

Four Years Of Partnership

Over our four years of partnership, we've seen children find ways to express themselves, gain confidence, build friendships, and thrive – all thanks to the power of music. As they celebrate their 30th anniversary, OKMT is very much still a family-focused grassroots charity. The charity is embedded in the local community, run by a small team of dedicated therapists, trustees and staff with a huge heart and bold vision. Everyone at OKMT is rooting for every child’s right to express themselves through music.

In Conversation With A Music Therapist

In celebration of their 30th anniversary, we sat down with one of their most long-standing music teachers, Edison Carolino, and his student, Christopher, to reflect on their journey and how OKMT helps children thrive one music note at a time.

Edison Carolino, Music Director of the OK Music School, has been working with OKMT for 25 years as a music therapist and teacher. Responsible for assessing and preparing the students for grade exams, Edison also works with the Trust Director, Clare Lawrence, to organise two annual hallmark events at the charity - the Summer and Christmas concerts.

One of Edison's most notable achievements is his development of a unique method of teaching music to children with special education needs and disabilities. The technique, called IRP (Improvisation, Rhythm, and Performance), is not only used in the OK Music School but has also been taught to special education needs schools in Brazil and India.

Edison’s Carolino, OKMT Music Therapist, In His Own Words:

Edison Carolino with pupils that he teaches at OKMT

“When I lived in Brazil, music was a big part of my life. I studied classical piano at music school and performed in the theatre. I was involved with the church choir and taught music to children with special education needs. These experiences inspired me to study Music Therapy and brought me to the UK - the only place I could do a course in this discipline at that time.

I was lucky to receive training at one of the most prestigious schools in the country, The Guildhall School of Music and Drama in London. Since then, I have been working with children with special needs in schools, day centres, charities, and music clubs. I always had a dream to open a music school for children with additional needs and am so proud to have achieved this and to be able to work with children and young people who have autism, Down's Syndrome, Cerebral Palsy and learning difficulties.

We get great responses from parents, as they can see amazing results from our teaching. Many parents have seen their children rejected by their music teachers in mainstream schools, often told they have no talent or musical ability. But as trained music therapists at the OK Music School, we know exactly how to work with these kids and help their talents shine.

Our first ever concert was a very small event and was magical. Many parents just didn't expect their children to do so well - especially as some of the students were non-verbal. Most of our work is 1:1 and we guide the parents so they can help children with their homework - supporting the parents is very important because we know the parents will help the children to continue learning at home. We always work as a triangle: teacher, parent and student. It feels amazing when parents tell us that they can see the student's progression and impact on their wellbeing.

The OK Music School is unique – not only does it allow students to unlock their musical talent, but the school also helps build self-confidence.

Having the ability to communicate with children with special education needs through music fuels my drive to work at OKMT.

In my experience, music has proven to be very important for a child’s development. To any parent reading this, take your child to a music lesson as soon as possible. Music will help your child to communicate. There are many inspiring stories I could share about how music can help. However, there is one story that stands out the most:

Christopher, who has a diagnosis of autism, joined the OK Music School when it launched in 2012.

Christopher started Music Therapy when he was eight years old, and I still remember his first lesson. There was a piano in the room, and without any instruction, Christopher started to play the keys. After just 15-20 minutes, Christopher had worked out how to play Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star. When I first met Christopher, he was very shy and struggled to communicate. But after a few sessions, Christopher had developed an ability to play music by ear - it wasn’t long before he could play all of the nursery rhymes!

After four years of Music Therapy, I decided to try giving Christopher piano lessons. I bought a few beginner books and attempted to teach him using these, but it didn’t work. I realised I had to do something different to help Christopher understand how to play and read music - which prompted me to develop a method called IRP (Improvisation, Rhythm, and Performance). Specially designed to teach music to children with special education needs, IRP is now used by several schools within the UK, and I have given workshops on this technique in Brazil and India. Through the IRP Technique, we have prepared 15 students to sit graded exams at the ABRSM, and all of them have passed with brilliant marks.

My favourite memory at OMKT that makes me most proud is seeing my students on the stage performing together as a band. Concerts are an excellent opportunity to share the children's musical talents with their families and celebrate all they have achieved.”