Six female students and graduates of Chapel Haven’s Asperger Syndrome Adult Transition Program were busy this fall writing their own songs through an innovative “class” offered by the Neighborhood Music School.
Entitled, “NoteAble Women,” the program gave each individual the chance to create an original song with help from the school’s renowned music faculty. For two hours every Friday, the students, accompanied by ASAT Student Advisor Gina Apicella, went to the Neighborhood Music School to study songs they liked, to write lyrics and then to try out their creations with the help of faculty assisting on keyboards, a loog guitar and drums.
Their songs will be performed in a special concert during the ASAT family weekend April 27 at the Neighborhood Music School. They will be assisted by NMS faculty members.
Congratulations to Sarah W., Jennica, Katy B., Maria R., Sarah A. and Ariana H. for participating. We can’t wait to hear their songs!
“The idea was to bring these women together to write an original song that reflects on their collaboration with our faculty members – Sarah Lamieux and David Mills – and to reflect on their own lives – to get in touch with feelings they might otherwise not share,” said Gretchen Hary, Director of Special Needs at the school and on the percussion faculty.
“Not being a big songwriter myself I wondered how we would take these women with no songwriting experience and come away with a song. I was a little skeptical at first. But I was just amazed, and the women were too, at the songs they created with the help of these facilitators.’
Among the topics of the songs? First love, what else?
Gina, who is a point staffer for Chapel Haven’s ASAT program, likewise said the program helped the students “enjoy music as a universal language. There were no constraints.”
“The sense of accomplishment is awesome,” Gina said. “They are proud of what they’ve worked on.”
NoteAble Women was made possible after Alice Ann Harwood, development director at the Neighborhood Music School, applied for and received a grant from the Community Foundation’s Women and Girls Foundation. The school already offers a drum circle class for ASAT students and the grant was another way for the school to further one of its goals: to serve youngsters and adults on the spectrum through the medium of music. Continue reading
working at a soup kitchen, and a toy drive for the holidays. Other committee members are planning monthly birthday parties, researching fun things to do in the community, and identifying ways to improve the CHW campus. While working on the various committees, students are also learning strategies for being an active team member, the theories behind democratic decision-making, self-advocacy skills, how to understand the need for compromise, and time management skills. Keep up the great work, Chapel Haven West Voices!
Throughout the event, participants had the chance to win some wonderful raffle prizes from various pieces of jewelry, to an Xbox 360, to different themed baskets donated by Chapel Haven departments. Through the efforts of all the participants and donors, the Bowl-a-thon raised over $23,000! This money will go to the David Poole Scholarship Fund and technological improvements around Chapel Haven. The day ended with a barbecue and dance at Chapel Haven. It was a fun-filled day enjoyed by everyone who participated! Special thanks goes to Chapel Haven parents Mary Doherty and Shelley Hartz, who spearheaded this fundraiser. Click 
