Spiraling to Redefine (Dis)Ability: A Case Study in Summer Music Programming for Children

Abstract

The sounds of percussion, guitar, singing, and clapping guide us from the heat of the summer pavement of the parking lot to the cool shade of the trees in the garden. Parents, staff, children, youth—we all gather here first thing in the morning. Some children immediately sit on the ground in front of the musicians, others navigate their canes or walkers to find a seat on a chair or bench or find a good spot for their wheelchairs. Some parents linger. The singing continues as everyone gathers and joins in with voices, clapping, and percussion to participate in the familiar “The boat goes down to the river, it takes me to my home …” This was our place of arrival at Spiral Garden.