The ASO-Kids-Band: "Suddenly She Caught the Microphone and Began to Talk"

Music encourages. This proves the cool ASO-Kids-Band from Langenstein in Austria. Pupils with grave physical handicaps as well as behavioural and learning difficulties together with their teachers are the stars of the ASO-Kids-Band.

01/01/2011

Pedagogue Bettina Auböck is an
avid singer; © privat

Bettina Auböck is the manager of the musicians. She supports the pupils between seven and 18 years, sometimes with the baton, sometimes with the tambourine and sometimes with the microphone. REHACARE.de talked to the open-minded Austrian about contagious music, extraordinary experiences and a rehearsal room which will soon become too narrow.

REHACARE.de: Mrs. Auböck, when listening to the ASO-Kids-Band, one hardly thinks that the pupils in the band all have different handicaps. How is this possible?

Bettina Auböck: The instruments are prepared in a way that one can easier play them than usually. The guitars are tuned, for example, on one key, so that the children can play several chords in a flash. And the keyboard can be played with one finger. One of the girls is spastic and cannot move one arm properly – so she plays the drum with the healthy arm. It all needs some practice.

REHACARE.de: How often does the band rehearse?

Auböck: Usually every Thursday. However, we also make longer breaks sometimes, so that the desire for the music remains. And since we are a school project, we do not play during the holidays. The children miss the music quite fast and are always glad when we meet again.

REHACARE.de: How did the group start?

Auböck: It originated from the music lessons I give in some classes at our school. With a few pupils I played a little concert with carols at school. Our headmaster suggested teaching also other pupils playing the guitar. This is rather difficult and I had doubts at first. However, he is a musician himself and showed us the simplified play manner. He does a lot for the project, he procured instruments and equipment and joins in himself. At the beginning seven pupils were in the group, now they are already 14.

The band in action. The well-matched look meets the harmonic attitude of the musicians; © ASO Langenstein

REHACARE.de: From about 50 pupils at the whole school this is a lot. How can you explain this increasing number?

Auböck: I think the enthusiasm of the children is contagious. They let themselves out due to the music. Finally, they can stand in the limelight for the first time and notice that they can also reach a lot even with their handicaps. This has become our main object.

REHACARE.de: Is the project based on an educational concept?

Auböck: Not directly. It is just learning by doing – simply making music together. However, the positive effects on the pupils’ mood are clearly visible. Even children with bad concentration and remarkable behaviour become more amenable and more self-controlled. Nobody forces them to do anything and, nevertheless, they try very hard. The appearances and the applause strengthen their self-confidence and they look more contented.

REHACARE.de: How can you see that?

Auböck: There was a quite moving experience. We were in a coach on a trip to Vienna to the presentation of the Fairness Award. A girl who usually speaks only a little or only if it is requested suddenly jumped up, caught the microphone and began to talk about how glad she was to be allowed to be in the band. I had not expected that.

REHACARE.de: Concerning the Fairness Award – this has not been the only award for the music at our school up to now …

Auböck: That is right. Also at the European Spring Days 2010 and the Teacher Award there were positive reactions.

The band has already won some prizes; © ASO Langenstein

REHACARE.de: Do the kids not mind that adults join them?

Auböck: I do not think so. In the band we simply are all musicians. They do not look at us like we were frightening teachers. And we respect ourselves. Even some school-leavers are still playing in the band.

REHACARE.de: And why do the adults take part?

Auböck: It is fun for them and of course they want to support the children. The pupils’ enthusiasm is just so contagious. We have special guests more and more often who want to take part - like once the mayor of the neighbour village at a Christmas concert in a shopping centre.

REHACARE.de: What is planned next for the ASO-Kids-Band?

Auböck: Our next concerts. And encouraging even more pupils to make music. However, soon we will probably need a new rehearsal room, ours slowly becomes too narrow.

This interview was conducted by Natascha Mörs.
REHACARE.de