They might soon become a famous musical duo â a new Simon and Garfunkel?
Right now, though, Tim Disher and Daniel Gillis are best known for being the brains behind Unplug â a Dal student society that brings music into the lives of Halifaxâs marginalized adults.
âWe realized that there weren't really any music programs for people over 35,â explains Mr. Disher. âAnd Iâm really interested in the therapeutic and community building aspects of music.â
Following a pilot project with Capital Healthâs Connections Clubhouse in April, the group has since worked with the Saint Leonardâs Society shelter network, the Halifax Rehab, and the Brain Injury Association of Nova Scotia. Each program lasts for a month, during which Unplugâs musical volunteers visit the organization four times to play and share music with its members.
âIt is not the concept of âplaying toâ or âforâ but playing with and teaching each other,â says Mr. Gillis, who notes that they donât expect their student volunteers to all have extensive musical knowledge: part of the fun of Unplugged is getting to try something new, including instruments. Volunteers often take on new skills: for example, Mr. Disher has taken on the saxophone and guitar since launching Unplug.
Changing peopleâs perception and minds
So whatâs it like playing music with homeless and at-risk adults in Halifax?
âIt doesn't feel like you are in a 'shelter',â says Mr. Disher. âYou have the same conversations with the people there that you would with any one else. As a society, we often treat people in the shelter system as if they are below us when in reality they are just like you and me and deserve to be treated that way.â
And thatâs key to Unplug: in addition to bringing music to these community organizations, the societyâs members also hope to change peopleâs perception towards the disadvantaged.
âWe want to create a community, and music is a good tool for that.â says Mr. Disher.
Given the different organizations they work with, Unplug tries to keep things fresh. âFour to six weeks is the perfect length for each program, as it is short enough to ensure the volunteersâ ability to commit, and long enough to develop meaningful, genuine relationships,â says Mr. Gillis.
The program doesnât cost a lot to run: itâs people and instrument powered.
âWe have three boxes of instruments with bells, drums, triangles... basic instruments,â says Mr. Gillis. âVolunteers bring their own instruments too: guitars, saxophones, small pianos and more.â
And every Unplug session is a learning experience â for everyone involved.
âThey are amazing people, andâin some casesâgenuinely talented musicians.â says Mr. Disher of the program participants. âHopefully the experience is enlightening for our volunteers and can help change some perceptions.â
To learn more about Unplug, visit .