Arlo’s Musical Journey with Daniel

Arlos Musical Journey with Daniel as an Inspiration Explorer

As part of our October Experience Exchange campaign, 6-year-old Arlo took part in a one-of-a-kind music and sound exploration with Daniel Birch at Somerset Film. Arlo’s mum, Annette, expressed heartfelt joy about the experience, saying it surpassed her hopes. “Arlo was captivated right from the start. Watching him explore and react to different sounds was incredible,” she shared. Daniel led Arlo through an array of musical tools that sparked his imagination and creativity, fostering an atmosphere of joy, discovery, and growth.

The session began with the Odd Ball, a unique device that creates sounds through movement. This made for a perfect introduction, as it allowed Arlo to see how his actions could create and control sounds. He lit up with excitement as he bounced and rolled the Odd Ball with Daniel, laughing as it triggered rhythms and melodies. The session continued with Arlo’s favourite instrument—a red tongue drum, which he played with energy and enthusiasm. He experimented with loud and soft tones, and Annette noted how confidently he adapted to the drum’s different rhythms and sounds.

A standout part of the session was the Playtron, which lets everyday objects like fruit act as musical triggers. Arlo delighted in using bananas and oranges to remix songs from his favourite band, The Wiggles. “Watching Arlo mix familiar tunes in such a quirky, creative way made him beam with pride and excitement,” Annette recalled. This was also a special moment for Daniel, as he could see Arlo express himself in such a personal, joyful way. Daniel reflected, “Arlo’s smile and laughter made every moment so rewarding. It was inspiring to see how he engaged with the music in his own unique way.”

To end, they moved into a calm, ambient session where soft lights and sounds projected on the walls, allowing Arlo to unwind after his energetic explorations. Annette shared that this sensory, relaxing experience was the perfect close, adding an element of quiet reflection. “It was amazing to see Arlo explore sound and music in a way that was both thrilling and comforting.”

Daniel and Annette both agreed the whole process was smooth, thanks to Ups and Downs’ thoughtful coordination. For Daniel, being part of this campaign and having the chance to tailor the session to Arlo’s unique interests was a true pleasure. He praised the campaign’s support and organisation, which included helpful pre-session discussions to ensure everyone felt prepared.

Through experiences like Arlo’s, Ups and Downs is sharing the joy and diversity of our young people’s interests with the community.

The October Experience Exchange campaign has been a meaningful opportunity to create these connections, raising awareness for Down Syndrome by celebrating the talents and perspectives of our young people.