The Music Care conference was a huge success. With almost 300 registrants and another 35 volunteers, there was a positive buzz at Wilfrid Laurier Faculty of Music last Saturday, and the electronic buzz has continued today here in the Room 217 Foundation office.
There are a number of factors that made this conference unique and exceptional.
- cross-disciplinary approach - Members of the arts, healthcare, business, education and faith communities came together around the common interest of music and care. This intersection gave an opportunity for rich and rare conversation to occur.
- emphasis on both inspiration and information - People tire of an information/academic only approach at conferences. There was plenty of soul food integrated into the program - lots of wonderful personal stories and performances, by Dan Hill, Gerard Yun, the Penderecki String Quartet and Inshallah, a community choir singing global song.
- expert speakers - We were blessed to have speakers who knew how to engage with people, authentically and in such a way that people left wanting more. Dan Hill, Deforia Lane and our 11 presenters were amazing.
- music making - There were a number of opportunities for participants to make music i.e. drumming, singing, creativity breakouts. Inshallah concluded the conference by teaching us all a South African song.
I took some time today to peruse the evaluations - at least 50% of the participants filled in an evaluation and handed it in - that in and of itself is a strong statement that participants took some ownership in contributing to the future of Music Care. I am encouraged by the overwhelming sense of meeting and exceeding people's expectations for the conference and the constructive feedback for events to come. I'm also encouraged that folks from around Ontario go back into their neighbourhoods feeling affirmed, empowered and inspired to care through music.
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