8th Workshop

Report on the Music Therapy Workshop

Date: December 13 December
Participants: 12 youth workers

Workshop Overview

On December 13, a workshop on music therapy was conducted, engaging 12 youth workers in a series of interactive and reflective activities. The session aimed to foster creativity, non-verbal communication, and mutual understanding through music and rhythm. Below is a summary of the activities and reflections.

Activities Conducted

1. Introduction and Energizer

Participants were introduced to the session using drumsticks as instruments. To warm up, an energizer activity was conducted:

Each participant took turns performing a rhythm with the drumsticks, which the rest of the group replicated at a steady tempo.
In a subsequent round, participants introduced themselves by saying their name and creating a unique rhythm. The next person repeated all previous rhythms and names before adding their own, building a cumulative sequence.

2. Pair Activity: Coordination with Drumsticks

A key exercise focused on non-verbal communication and coordination:

Participants paired up and held two drumsticks between them using only their fingertips.
With closed eyes, they moved silently to maintain balance and control of the sticks.
The exercise was repeated with open eyes for comparison, allowing participants to reflect on the impact of sensory input on coordination and trust.

3. Non-Verbal Dialogue with Drumsticks

Participants explored communication without words through a two-person dialogue:

Using only drumsticks as instruments, participants initiated a conversation by establishing eye contact.
Once one dialogue ended, the chosen partner selected the next participant for interaction, ensuring everyone was engaged.

4. Dialogue Through Vocal Gibberish

In this activity, drumsticks were set aside as participants experimented with vocal expressions:

Pairs engaged in a "dialogue" without using recognizable words, relying on gibberish sounds.
Each participant envisioned a specific topic for the conversation, which created intriguing interpretations and improvisations.

5. Sound-Based Dialogue Without Instruments

The final activity tested the ability to communicate through sounds:

A pair of participants stood back-to-back and conducted a dialogue without words or direct vocalizations.
Communication involved creating sounds by knocking, clapping, stomping, or other creative methods to initiate and conclude the dialogue.

Reflections and Analysis

After each activity, participants shared personal reflections and feelings about the exercise. Group discussions explored key takeaways and addressed questions that arose from the tasks. This facilitated a deeper understanding of the role of rhythm, sound, and non-verbal communication in fostering connection and collaboration.

Overall Impact: The workshop successfully highlighted the versatility of music therapy as a tool for enhancing interpersonal skills and building a cohesive group dynamic.