The Colorado Springs Conservatory Presents: A Positive Note

How does your child with disabilities cope with the emotional burden of those disabilities, or experience success in performance and relationship? A Positive Note through the Colorado Springs Conservatory is one program that helps children cope. William Congreve stated, “Music has charms to soothe a savage breast.”¹ At the Conservatory in Colorado Springs, music soothes us all. Celebrating 20 years, this is a school of art for children unlike any other in the Pikes Peak region. Its mission is “to inspire, motivate, and challenge all students to aspire to their highest potential as artists and as human beings through arts immersion studies and community arts advocacy.”

While the Conservatory serves all children, it has a unique program catered to children with a wide variety of disabilities. A Positive Note (APN) was founded by an incredible young man named Jorden Smith. Jordy is an inspiration to his students and the heart of this program, as he himself found solace through music for a personal tragedy. When Jordy was a young professional musician, he experienced a near-death car accident, leaving him with a brain injury and the use of only one arm. As a guitar player, this was a steep challenge for Jordy. He learned to play again with his one arm. Now he shows other children with disabilities how to follow in his footsteps, whether their disabilities are physical or neurological. He is an inspiration to all of the people he touches.

When Jordy approached the Conservatory about starting a special needs music class, leaders felt that this fit with the programs they already had in place. APN started in 2011. APN reports that in the beginning, it didn't quite know how the program would work, but with the support of some parents and staff that had prior knowledge and training for special needs, the pilot program was formed and took off.

And take off it did! APN now runs three semesters a year, and is open to people with disabilities ages 12 through young adulthood. Even though the foundation of the program is science-based, the outcomes expected of the children are simple: do your best and have fun! APN puts no limit or expectation on the child. APN simply wants children free to uniquely express themselves through music, without being judged. APN also plays “gigs” within various places in our community.

Enrollment is currently underway for the 8-week fall session, which begins on Saturday, October 4, 2014. Interested individuals should call Lisa Malloy at: The Colorado Springs Conservatory: 415 Sahwatch St, Colorado Springs, CO 80903 - 719-577-4556.

¹William Congreve, The Mourning Bride, Act 1 Scene 1 (1697).