Instruments for Fiji Schools

11 July 2008

Organising fundraising concerts is just one of the many talents of Raukatauri Music Therapist Alison Cooper.

Alison is visiting two special needs Schools in Fiji this month, along with staff from Auckland's Carlson School, and raised over $600 for instruments to take with her.

"As a team we are going to share skills with staff at Savusavu Special School and Labasa Special School. I wanted to go as I know how much the children I work with respond to music."

The fundraising involved Alison organising a house concert of chamber music for flute, clarinet, strings and piano, and a viola players day for members of the Australia NZ Viola Society.

Performing alongside her at the concert were her three music therapy colleagues from Raukatauri, Marie Bagley, Hee Chan Choi and Claire Molyneux, Centre volunteer Gail Nathan, and musicians Judith Gust and Michael Palmer. Alison also composes music, and two of her pieces were a highlight of the evening.

Fifteen percussion instruments will be part of Alison's luggage as she heads for Fiji  on 14 July, including a guiro, rhythm sticks, drums, beaters, and tambourines.

She says she was very pleased to be invited on the trip by Sue Donnell of Carlson School, where she delivers a music therapy Outreach programme as part of her work at Raukatauri.