SickKids Childlife kids and parents music groups are one step closer to reality

Caron Mills of Child Life met with Treasa Levasseur and myself to discuss the how, where and when of a music program. Treasa's experience with kid's music and the music business and her extensive network aligns fantastically well with Caron and my interest in seeing lots more music at SickKids. And the meeting was far more exciting than I could ever envision. Treasa offered to fold in her honorarium into the program budget which will be used for aids, good quality musical instruments and some guest honorariums. She is also open to older kids helping out with younger kids and finding ways to connect older kids with other musicians that they can jam with. While looking at the Reading Room, Caron pointed out that a video can be piped into the rooms. Treasa began to then imagine alternating between video and radio: imagine two IV poles and a sheet with artwork or a puppet show and imagine voice over artists from kids TV shows and kids calling down for requests. We thought it good to allow some time before and after for some chat and start off with 2 groups a month working up to 1 per week in the next few months. After a break over the summer, the program would continue September to summer. Treasa has offered a one year commitment and to also help source kids and adult groups for the atrium stage. Next time you are going into the cafetaria, have a look up and imagine a kids band in silly costumes playing great music on the bare stage.

Music Groups

One of my greatest pleasures of being a new parent, aside from the love I get and give, is reconnecting with child like communication and games. I love going with Mia to her music group for several Wednesday morning sessions. It was me and the kids and the moms and a skilled kids musician with a sweet voice and smile who sprinkles kids rhythms with folk tunes.

Debra uses lots of aids, a felt painting, large puppets, bags of plush toys, choo choo trains and musical instruments. Of course she has 'super' bubbles. So a medley of train folk songs would be started by her energetically spilling 20 little toy trains and then asking the kids, Who has the yellow train, Who has the red train? The bag of veils are for the kids and parents to pull over their heads during the Sleeping Bunnies song. Just as energetically she encourages everyone to clean up the items in seconds.

At SickKids there is the Bear Theatre with regular performances for kids and occasional concerts and one on one music through Child Life in the private rooms however there appears to be no small music groups. So I asked the only two professional musicians I know, hey, would you be interested in a committed kids group at SickKids and both were completely enthusiastic. I first asked Treasa Levasseur as I had listened to her bands during our time at SickKids, I knew she ran children's groups and she had played at Sasha's unveiling. A Time Magazine Canada review of her latest album puts her energy into perspective: "The CD [Not a Straight Line] is an impressive achievement for the 32-year-old Torontonian, who spends her days traveling in a van full of instruments making house calls to teach music to children."

Caron Mills of Child Life at SickKids was also enthusiastic when we connected by phone this week. She will pull together input from her team so we can look at venues. With the support of Child Life the kids can come from all around the hospital for a weekly session in a playroom. With maybe an emphasis on getting the dads out to have fun and bond with their kids which naturally gives the moms a little break.