Songbirds

Ros worked with composer Mark Fisher on Songbirds, a special 5-year project working closely with staff on a ward for children with acquired brain injury and on long term ventilation at the Royal Manchester Children’s Hospital. With the support of the play specialist, the duo worked with children giving them with the opportunity to experience live music and musical interaction at the bedside, and enabled spaced for young patients to gain agency and control through music-making.  Songbirds has been recognised by the Council for Disabled Children as an ‘inspiring example of listening practice, in listening to individual children through music.’ (2017). The project received a Building Better Healthcare Award for Collaborative Arts/Performance in 2018, and was recognised by judges as:

“proven to have effect on cardiovascular, respiratory and neurological symptoms…especially enhancing for children who cannot communicate verbally – an outstanding winner…”

Seasons of the Sun

Ros and guitarist/composer Mark Fisher were involved in a four year project at Robin House Children’s Hospice in Scotland, with four residencies taking place each year lasting for four days. Along with co-ordinating the project, Ros and Mark hosted musical awareness sessions and activities, and performed the evaluation and end-of-residency meetings.

“Our aim was to create music with individuals and groups that was inspired by this unique environment…  and to respond to the needs of all elements of the organisation, whether working with children and young people, siblings and parents, or delivering training and awareness sessions with staff and volunteers.”

A case study of ‘Seasons of the Sun’ was compiled by artsandhealth.ie: