Music, Mindfulness and Wellbeing in a Post Covid World.

This project has been set up in response to the impact of the Covid virus on students,
teachers, and music in schools and other educational environments.
Drawing on his remarkable 40-year career as a Musician, Educationalist,
Ethnomusicologist and Academic, Andy Gleadhill has constructed a unique music
programme that draws on components of musical cultures from all over the world,
combined with techniques from Music Therapy and elements of Sound Therapy
practice, that promote relaxation, mindfulness, and wellbeing and enable pupils to
actively create their own mindful music to help relieve stress and improve wellbeing.
Music now more than ever has become a vital part of our day-to-day existence in this
post COVID-19 world. During lockdown relationships have come under stress and
added strain and anxiety has affected everyone’s lives. Erratic school attendance,
dealing with the illness of loved ones and even death are problems we have all had to
face. Young people have had to become used to online learning, there has been
disruption to school and learning schedules, a fear of contracting Covid, the stress of
living in bubbles and isolation from extended family has all placed extreme pressure on
both teachers and pupils. Many have turned to music as a form of relief, solace, and a
happy place in this time of uncertainty. Although musicians have been unable to
perform live and in schools’ larger ensembles, live singing and performances have been
curtailed, music is still a constant source of comfort.
The benefits of Music, Mindfulness and Wellbeing include a boost to the immune
system, helping to release mood-enhancing endorphins, promoting greater levels of
energy and enthusiasm, and reducing stress, anxiety, and depression. All these things
will help the learners and teachers alike become better prepared to tackle the problems
presented and grasp the opportunities in a post Covid world.
During the practical music-making sessions, teachers and pupils experience using
music from a range of cultures around the world, specifically, Africa, Indonesia, India,
South America, and Asia to help students relax, become mindful and promote
wellbeing. The music sessions are inclusive, accessible to all, non-religious, with no
belief system required and do not require any previous musical experience .All the
activities are linked into the NHS 5 pillars of wellbeing.
The project is available as a workshop for pupils of any age and as professional
development for teachers. A Music, Mindfulness and wellbeing Facebook page has
been set up to allow teachers to share thoughts and best practice.
This project has, and will continue to be, delivered to both specialist and non-specialist
music teachers, and SEND teachers as mostly free to access CPD training. This
includes webinars and in person conferences as well as international coverage for the
BSME and FOBISIA etc, thus enabling as many pupils as possible to benefit from the
project. Music, Mindfulness and Wellbeing in a Post Covid World will be the subject of a
special seminar at the Global Education Supplies and Solutions (GESS) conference at
the World Trade Centre, Dubai on November 15th, 2022.