Student with Cerebral Palsy Plays Music
Submitted by Karen M. Stallings
Joe Padula’s mouth opens wide as the chorus “I’ll be there for you!’’ echoes around the auditorium. The sound fades and Joe breaks into a broad smile. The recorded voice isn’t his, but he made it happen with a nod of his head, and that’s enough.
Padula can’t speak and can barely move because of cerebral palsy. But as a member of a group that calls itself Headbangers, he can still sing and make music. Computer software developed by group leader John Adams allows the group to sound notes and vocals with whatever movement they can best make: a squeeze of the hand, tap of the finger or a bang of the head – hence, the group’s self-mocking name.
The group-which started in 1993 at the Brayton School, a state school run specifically for children and young adults with disabilities blends the sounds into tunes ranging from Japanese folks songs to classical to rock. But it’s all about more than the music.
For students ages 7 to 22 whose disabilities often deny them a way to fully express themselves in words, the music can give them a voice they’ve never had. “They’re locked inside them selves until they’re given the opportunity to let them show what they can do,’’ said Suzanne Hanser, head of the music therapy program at Berklee College of Music, which uses Adams’ software in training. “Music can get inside. It cuts to the soul.’’ The group started in 1993, when Adams, a Berklee graduate, took his music skills and his computer program to Brayton in Canton. Adams’ program, called Super Switch Ensemble, allows the students to play 128 instruments, along with various beats, vocals and chords, by hitting a switch set up to take advantage of what –ever movement they can control. Adams conducts the group by pointing at each Headbanger when it’s time for his or her part. For instance, Padula has a switch placed near his head on both sides – one used to move up the music scale on Adams’ signal, the other to move down.
Mike Moreau, who uses an electronic board to play notes, explains why he enjoys the headbangers. He pulls out a keyboard and screen he uses to communicate and taps three letters: “F-U-N.’’
