Method

Check-In processes are fundamental to the work we engage in and set the context and tone for what we will do together in our workshops and training sessions. The shaping of Check In questions in a thoughtful, purposeful, and intentional manner increases the likelihood of them eliciting a powerful and positive response. Checking-In invites each member in a group to be present, seen, and heard and emphasises focus, group commitment, and group empathy. Checking In also helps facilitators to react according to a group's needs and change plans if necessary. 

Like playing sports, making music and running creative sessions requires warming up. A warm up can be physical (eg. body, voice), mental or even simply focus on group connection. Many warm up exercises and activities will focus on a variety of these aspects. 

In our Funergizers library you will find many activities which serve as great warm ups, but activities from other categories - such as 'Skills' (see below) can also function as effective warm ups.

Skills are what make you confident and independent as a musician, teacher, aid worker, or as a facilitator. It may take determination, time and practice, but almost any skill can be learned or improved over time. We believe that everyone has innate musicality and creativity and while some people learn faster than others, that doesn't mean that they are more talented or more musical than others. 

'Skills' can be musical, physical, instrumental, listening, asking questions and collaboration, and they enable you to create, explore and improvise what you imagine. 

Exploring, discovering and creating music together is the core of what we aim for in our creative sessions. Composing new music  in a safe space, a place in which people can share their experiences, ideas, power and hope, brings a deeper level to the musical result. The composed music reflects the people individually as well as the unity of the group. 

In the creation part, skill and imagination come together. 

When creating music together, people encourage each other to collaborate, producing creative and innovative ideas that can be a catalyst for change. In doing so, you can explore who you are, who others are, and how you relate to the world around you. 

Creative music processes also support the understanding that there are always opportunities to create something, to build the future; even if you live in a refugee camp or a devastated town. In addition, creating new music together  is an important emotional escape valve. When you live in difficult circumstances and have experienced traumatic events, words are often not enough to express yourself. 

By reflection we mean reflecting on the creative process. How do you feel about what you created together? What can we improve? What other possibilities do you see? 

Reflection can be showing to others what your created; a performance, a presentation, a sharing circle.

Feedback from others, such as team members or your audience, can also form part of the reflection process.

Just like a Check In, a Check Out functions as a tool to give space for every individual to share something personal about their own experience of the session or the day. A powerful Check Out question helps people to share from a particular point of view. 

A Check Out also helps a facilitator to get feedback about the program they designed and to better understand if the needs of the participants have been met.