The Opportunity to Succeed: Inclusion in Music Education

This program profiles three high school and college musicians with physical disabilities, whom Dr. Greg Byrne—the primary speaker here—believes can benefit from (and enhance) traditional musical programs. The subjects include Patrick Henry Hughes, a blind pianist and trumpeter; Kayla Freeman, a xylophone player with arthrogryposis, and Devin Robinson, a percussionist with leukodystrophy (Patrick and Kayla, who have limited mobility, also use wheelchairs). All three, who hail from the South, met resistance when they first attempted to play music alongside their non-disabled peers. Band leaders told them they wouldn't be able to keep up, would drag others behind, or should remain out of sight. Kayla's instructor, Michelle Harless, confesses she didn't know what to do with Kayla at first (she also feared that Kayla might have a learning disability, which she does not). Harless recalls, "It was a big experiment for us." Patrick, now a graduate, participated in the University of Louisville marching band, catching the attention of ESPN, Oprah Winfrey, Ellen DeGeneres, and other broadcasting entities. Dr. Byrne, Patrick's instructor, made accommodations to ensure full integration, such as providing him with a CD instead of sheet music. The Opportunity to Succeed is primarily aimed at school administrators and educators, although interested parents and students will likely appreciate this as well. Recommended. Aud: J, H, C, P. (K. Fennessy)