Shaun pioneers new language of music

Dr. Denise White, an educator from Derry, and Shaun Healy, also from the city, and the world’s first person with severe intellectual disabilities to conduct an orchestra, invented the concept.

It’s called ‘Conductology’.

The methodology took six years of extensive research, trialling and refining at the Foyle Arts Centre at the Derry campus of Ulster University.

‘Conductology’ can be used within any music and sound environment introducing every child and adult to inclusive and accessible music-making, including via the means of adaptive music technology and a range of sound objects.

Shaun, who lives with ‘global developmental delay’, said he had no confidence and had to deal with “his anxiety monster” before helping pioneer the concept.

“I was trapped in a dark tunnel with no way out,” is how Shaun described his life.

However, he is now a ‘Master Conductologist’, training and mentoring in the ground-breaking methodology.

He conducts orchestras, choirs and ensembles and has delivered speeches and presentations to policymakers and influencers as well as significantly advancing many skills. His first ensemble included performers with Down Syndrome, Cerebral Palsy, Asperger’s syndrome and global developmental delay.

Deborah Kelleher, C.E.O. Royal Irish Academy of Music, said the development was “a real game-changer.” Professor Frank Lyons MBE, Ulster University, said: “When people hear the music for themselves, their perceptions of those with disabilities is brought to a whole new level.”

Coming shortly is the Irish Conductology Inclusive Orchestra. Shaun’s new orchestra, ICIO (which performed in the Millennium Forum recently) intends to establish Conductology music ensembles for children, young people and adults with and without disabilities across Ireland.

In response to COVID-19, Denise and Shaun have developed an online Academy, ‘the University of Conductology,’ with it’s own social network so that the benefits of Conductology can be enjoyed without breaking ‘physical-distancing’ guidelines.

Conductology (Ireland) Ltd., is a small new start-up but with a mission to make a positive impact in the lives of people with disabilities throughout Ireland and further afield. This will mean an opportunity to participate in local orchestras or ensembles either remotely/online or via mainstream schools and colleges, that have been denied to 1 in 7 of the population in the Republic of Ireland, 1 in 5 in the U.K., for generations. Courses are available remotely at www.conductology.com