Strains of the Beatles hit "Yellow Submarine" came from one of the classrooms of the Bradford School of Music in North Andover last Friday morning, July 18.
The students moved to the music and sang along with North Andover residents Andrew Clark and Charlie Hunt, co-owners and instructors at the school at Osgood Landing.
What was different about last Friday's upbeat music class is that Clark and Hunt teach the session for free, and the pupils are all clients of the nonprofit ARC of East Middlesex.
ARC, formerly known as the Association for Retarded Citizens, has day programs and provides job training, recreation programs and family support and advocacy for those with mental disabilities.
Between 15 and 20 ARC clients have been coming to the Bradford School of Music every other Friday for six months for free music classes with Clark and Hunt.
Kathy Kelly, director of the ARC's life choices program, said she's seen clients respond and blossom during that time. Several people who are normally uncommunicative really open up in the class, she said.
"We've seen a lasting effect after the music lessons — behaviorally, socially. They just have a better day afterwards," said Kelly, surveying the classroom full of students in the midst of a sing-along. "They just get into it, they have such joy. It's a way of expression for them."
On Friday, the ARC clients presented Clark and Hunt with a painting they had created, to say thank you for their music lessons. Each music student had painted a little part of the brightly-colored work, and they had raised money for a frame by saving recyclable bottles and cans, said Kelly.
Clark and Hunt said they were touched, and plan to hang the painting in one of their classrooms.
"This is something we wanted to do. It's a learning experience for us too," said Clark. "It's a good opportunity to help, and reach out. For us, it's a really pure musical experience. It makes the music new for us ... they're always so enthusiastic. It's very rewarding."
He and Hunt have been introducing basic musical concepts in the classes, as well as performing — Clark on woodwinds and piano, and Hunt on guitar. They take requests and have the students sing along.
The ARC students love to hear classic rock and oldies, especially the Beatles, Clark said. "Sweet Caroline" and "Yellow Submarine" are their absolute favorites.
Throughout the two-hour class last week, the ARC students clapped and sang, often knowing every word.
The ARC of East Middlesex is located in Reading, but has clients from all over the area, including North Andover, Kelly said. Clients, aged 22 to 70, have intellectual disabilities ranging from Alzheimer's to autism.
Several of the Bradford school's other music faculty have come and given demonstrations for the ARC classes, said Clark. Eventually, he'd like to see the ARC students playing instruments such as hand percussion, he said.
Clark and Hunt, who have been playing music professionally and teaching for more than two decades, opened the Bradford School of Music in September 2007.
