Auckland Philharmonia Orchestra hosts music workshop for upper limb amputees

A music workshop has given a group of amputees the chance to jam out with members of an orchestra.

Peke Waihanga Artificial Limb Centre and the Auckland Philharmonia Orchestra hosted the event at Mount Eden Village Centre on Monday.

Around 20 amputees attended the two-hour session and were taught by five members of the orchestra to play a mix of percussion instruments.

Botany resident Martin Grobler, 15, had his left hand amputated shortly after he was born due to medical complications.

“I did grow up with it, so I’m used to it. I didn’t think there was really much I couldn’t do. The biggest thing was probably monkey bars, to be honest,” he said.

The amputees were split up into groups of three and guided on how to drum out rhythmic patterns on a range of wood, metal and skin percussion instruments.

The session concluded with everyone coming together for a jam with the orchestra.

Staff from Peke Waihanga attended the event to create tools to assist the amputees in their playing.

Event co-ordinator Matthew Bryson said the workshop was about bringing members of the amputee community together.

“Being an amputee isn’t easy at the best of times and creating these events, the environment is amazing because you’re bringing these people together,” he said.

“You can hang out, you can talk about your journey… so it’s pretty special.”

Martin moved to New Zealand from South Africa when he was 8eight. He said the workshop was an opportunity to connect with other people his age who were dealing with similar problems.

“I haven’t been playing drums for long, I’ve just kind of liked it growing up. I do have some things, some attachments for my hands that do help me play it,” he said.

“I think it’s good because you can… help people really develop some things they might struggle with that you’ve learned.”

Auckland Philharmonia Orchestra spokesman Thomas Hamill said he has a belief that music can be transformational for people.

“Music just doesn’t have to live on the stage… it can also live in the community and can address the needs of communities,” he said.

“We’ve often wanted to find ways where we can be as impactful as we possibly can. It really aligns with our strategy and this kind of, you know, fundamental belief we have about the power of music.”

Hamill said the orchestra would like to learn more about how music can help amputees in their recovery.

“We’re kind of aware that some of the people coming may have experienced trauma or, if they’re new to being an amputee, probably are facing some kind of emotional challenges or physical challenges,” he said.

“That’s where we believe that the sort of sensory impressions and connection that music makes can make a big difference to them.”

Martin hopes to one day own a bionic hand that can help him live his life more independently. He said his advice to others is to not care about what people think.

“At the end of the day, it doesn’t really matter because it’s your life, and [I] wouldn’t change anything.”