Making music with asylum seekers: Simon

Simon at the first music session

​We were excited to hear that our new volunteer Simon has started music sessions at one of the hotels for asylum seekers.  So we asked him some questions and were delighted to hear about Simon's background, his reasons for volunteering, his reflections on the first music session and what he would say to potential volunteers:

HS: I see from your website that you are a University lecturer in English Literature and poetry writing as well as a musician and a poet, with a PhD in sonic poetics! Can you tell us a little bit about your background and your different interests? 

SP: Yes of course. I have played and made music since I was 5. I have played music for years in London, and collaborate with many beautiful humans, release music, play live. Poetry came later: as I kid I listened to tapes my mother and father bought for me; one of my favourite memories of ‘techno’ as not only a music, but a way of life, was the function on our tape cassette machine that, when switched, would mean side 2 of the cassette would be played straight after side 1. This created for me and in me a concept of eternal music, of the sound of infinities. In one of my current roles, I teach a university poetry course online, one for which I recently re-wrote the new course, which has been delightful. It’s been 6 years teaching that, so I have by now taught a few hundred adult poets who come from all over the world. I am fortunate to do so. I have published my poetry, but these days I put everything I am into my music. I made the term ‘Sonic Poetics’ to describe a way of thinking about how sound is presented in poetry, and for how we listen in life, and for how we might attune our inner ears in ways that know no borders. For 20 years, on and off, I have taught English as a Foreign Language, so I assisted in some classes being taught at the hotel, and the quality of teaching was just excellent. At the moment, as there are several excellent teachers of English at the hotel, I was encouraged to start the music sessions. Thank you one and all so far.    
 
HS: What led you to volunteer with Herts Welcomes Refugees?  Is there a particular motivating factor? 

SP: I am motivated to be self-aware about any fortunate circumstance in which I find myself. And so, I came back to the UK last summer after a holiday in Greece, the moment when hate crimes spiked. In order to respond, I took affirmative action to help, in any way I could, my contemporaries, those humans who have come to the UK. I searched for the nearest refugee volunteer charity to where I am currently living, and made contact. I was born in Ireland, my mother is Irish, and my English father spent his 20’s living with my mother in Ireland. And so, I too am a colonial subject. I believe in the right for human beings to move around the world. I believe in the human right of safety and to seek and find safety. These are some of the most basic things that do exist and must exist: like quietness, or a cloud. I will do what I can and when I can to be of use to those who are moving, or have moved, to the UK. I am motivated because I am a citizen of the world. I am motivated because I believe in more love, not less: and I wish my Other all the safety, happiness and joy in which to live. In socio-economic terms, until only this Spring, I have spent my entire adult life on zero hours contracts. So I know a bit about precarity, and about precarious living, something that effects millions now living. I refuse to let precarity harm those who I might be able to help, even if I just do a bit, with music and fun. There are so many people in London alone who devote their entire lives to affirmative charitable action. My partner is one who works for a charity: I am in awe of their work; I am grateful every day that I know them. As my own work hours are changeable, it’s about my going with the changes and being of use when it is possible.    
 
HS: This week you ran your first music session with asylum seeker children at the hotel and I hear it went very well. Some of the young people have been in the hotel for a long time and I am sure they really appreciated the freedom of being able to express themselves through music. How did the young people respond and what effect do you think being able to participate had on them?

SP: This is a very beautiful thing to read, thank you so much! I had no idea how long some of the young people have been staying in the hotel. I am delighted I could bring them instruments with which they could express themselves. At this stage, we still don’t really know what music is nor where it comes from: but we know that music is our energy! The young people were energetic: they were all eager to play; some were shy and benefitted from encouragement, some too shy and if they come again they are always welcome to play anything I have. Last night I saw: a 5-year-old boy with a heavy downstroke talent for a clear tone on the guitar; his sister who danced and liked the ‘bird’ painting on my guitar; an exceptional flautist who can read music (something I cannot do since I just play by ear!); children organising their own singing to songs they like. The parents were supportive and open. The session inspired me: when I left, I was beaming. I mean, this is just the same as an Irish family party!
 
HS: What are you planning for future sessions?    
 
SP: For next time I would like to try two things: firstly, a mix between karaoke and a ‘listening session’: I’m bringing a loud speaker so everyone there can play their favourite songs, and then maybe people might like to sing them.  Secondly, one of my students at the session told me his favourites: The Eagles and Pink Floyd. So, I have invited my father to play a set next time: he is a gifted guitarist, proficient in classical, blues, Flamenco. My own guitar style is a bit more made up, as everyone saw when I played a tune of my own. I call what I play ‘Blood Music’.  

HS: What would you say to anyone thinking of volunteering with Herts Welcomes Refugees?

SP: Come and offer what you can, when you can. It will augment your ideas of what constitutes ‘home’, ‘life’, ‘family’, ‘work’. Volunteering can fulfil your wellbeing in ways that paid work cannot. I am consistently amazed at the levels of care and inspiration in the volunteers: everyone has been so welcoming to me, and they are committed, organised, open, pro-active, generous. The volunteers inspire me. About working with refugees in Hertfordshire, I must say: it is my honour.

Thank you Simon for giving your time and talent so generously, we are sure the sessions will light up the lives of those living in the hotel in difficult circumstances.