April LINKS: Music Made for the Great Outdoors

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DESCRIPTION

Join Robin Ashfield of Percussion Play, visiting Kansas City from Britain, for a presentation on why music works in an outdoor environment and can be enjoyed by everyone. Ashfield is the co-founder of Percussion Play, the world’s leading outdoor musical instrument manufacturer. He has awards for outstanding design and a lifetime achievement award for education in the UK. After a successful career in the UK playground industry where Robin started the award winning playground manufacturer Hand Made Places Ltd., which he sold in 2008, Robin and Jody started creating outdoor musical instruments. Their intention was clear, to create high quality, weather resistant fully accessible musical instruments that were both sonically accurate and beautiful to look at. Robin is passionate in creating engaging spaces for children, teenagers, adults and the elderly, for special needs & for those living with dementia. Challenging traditional design and implementing Outdoor Music areas for everybody in the changing face of play. Learn about extending play beyond the tradition, inclusivity and special needs, and the positivity of multi-generational play and interaction.

Learning Objectives:

1. The changes in playground standards seem to go some way in recognizing the diverse and current trends in play equipment design, thinking beyond the typical climber, slide, and swing. With a welcome advance in helping communities succeed in creating inclusive play environments, the standards now recognize new equipment that children of all abilities can easily play on and love – such as musical instruments.
2. Differences in age, gender, ethnic or linguistic background have no place in music and obstacles present in other activities defined by motor and mental ability are absent where music is concerned.
3. Outdoor Musical Instruments in the playground provide a non-threatening and fun outlet for creative and emotional expression and through the medium of music many essential life skills can be learned. Music can have a profound effect on anyone, but the benefits of exposing a child with special needs to music can be huge.

Course will provide 1.0 continuing education credits.

Course will provide Health, Safety, and Welfare – Yes

Lunch will be provided.