Music as therapy
“My earliest show? It was the King and I and I was the smallest cast member, one of the King's Children, and he had to lift me above his head,” says Cecelia Rochelli, recalling her first venture into the world of music.
“My family were very big in theatre companies— the Bloomfield Theatrical Society it was called in the old days. I'm from a family of six and we were all involved in theatre.”
“All the productions were out at the Rec hall at Bloomfield and it had a really good community feel about it, the clients of the hospital would come for free as well and it was a lovely time!”
Music has remained a constant part of life for Cecelia ever since. From gigging to make a little money on the side during university to performing on the Sydney pub scene and now singing alongside her husband Rocky in the well-known local band Trouble with Johnny.
“The biggest thing about being a singer is you learn you have to put yourself out there,” says Cecelia. “I mean I've even sung at supermarkets for a promotion for Coles! Sat on the checkout while passing the items and singing for customers! You do crazy things; I sang on the streets, sang with a clown and I've been in lots of different bands.”
There is a spiritual element to music, says Cecelia, who has put her talents and training to use working with people with disabilities.
“My first uni degree was in Social Science and I have a degree in Psychology. I went and worked in Sydney in welfare and that's where my love of people with disabilities came from,” says Cecelia.
“I thought these people need something else to channel their energies and express themselves… So I'd come home and went to Charles Sturt University again and I did theatre media, which was a drama communications degree, I went into the therapy side of theatre media. I created my own thing really.”
Every Thursday, Cecelia runs music workshops for people with disabilities. She says the power of music to draw an emotional connection from people never ceases to amaze her.
“We have lots of fun! There is a lot of percussion involved. We help people make noises on percussion instruments and do some singing… and just the joy! To see their reactions to the music that they have grown up with and they love. The emotional connections that come out when we start playing the music,” she says.
“There is that tribal thing that people connect with when they hear music. Something that is deeper than speech.
“Music has been in used in hospitals and nursing homes, working with people with dementia. It sources a different part of the brain, so people that aren't verbal can get a lot of joy out of the stimulation and vibration of sound.”
Cecelia is also one of the drivers behind the Let it Rain Drought Relief Concert, which is being held at the Ex-Services Club on 6 March.
As well as raising a bit of money for local drought-affected families, Cecelia says their ‘rain’ themed concert is a chance for people to let their hair down and have some fun, despite the tough seasons behind us.
“It’s about getting that good energy out there! And it is great to get together with other musicians and to have fun and play music!”