The Shore 104 FM, VAMS Music Saves project has been selected as the Best Charity or Cause Related Event, by the 2009 BC Events Award group.
The VAMS Music Saves Video Projectwas developed to create awareness of VAMS and the wonderful work it does to help create a level playing field for the disabled. This video is an example of how we believe that music can have an incredible positive influence in peoples lives therapeutically and creatively. Programs such as this are important to recognize and support. We believe that music makes a difference and can heal, enrich and inspire positivity and creativity.
VAMS Background
Vancouver Adapted Music Society (VAMS) was co-founded in 1988 by two Vancouver musicians, Sam Sullivan and Dave Symington, both quadriplegics.
Sam, who played keyboards, and Dave, a drummer, formed the society to tackle the barriers faced by musicians such as themselves – issues they had not come across before they became disabled as a result of sporting injuries.
“We’d both played in bands previously,” explained Dave, “and were both trying to find a way back into music.
“At that time, technologies were just emerging that were creating possibilities for accessing instruments. There was a fair cost, and neither of us had money. . . There was perhaps some self-interest involved in forming VAMS, but we also knew there were other people out there in the same situation, too.”
Sam and Dave formed a band around this time, Spinal Chord, with guitarist Don Alder and bassist John Shepp. Spinal Chord achieved national airplay, using their music as a vehicle for raising awareness of the talents of people with disabilities.
The band split in the mid-90s. Sam entered politics, becoming mayor of Vancouver in 2005; Dave works as a disability advisor at the University of British Columbia; Don has a highly successful solo career; and John is a highly regarded producer/engineer (and multi-instrumentalist) working in the Vancouver area.
However VAMS kept on growing, constantly reaching out to new people, no matter what their level of musical ability or physical function, while also arranging events to showcase the more musically established members.
“It is still very necessary to have a society that supports people with disabilities, that provides links to other musicians, equipment and places to play,” added Dave. “It’s pretty difficult to do all that on your own.”
While the constant stream of updates to digital technology means that making and recording music is more accessible, many of these systems are beyond the financial means of many. In addition, people just starting out on an interest are often wary of spending large amounts before they know what works best for them. Furthermore, there are still barriers to public performance. While a city like Vancouver has many venues that announce themselves as “accessible,” usually this only applies to the auditorium – there are few accessible stages.
Musicians with disabilities still have to struggle to be heard. And that’s why there will always be a role for VAMS.
VAMS Programs:
Vancouver Adapted Music Society (VAMS) works at three basic levels, depending on the skills and motivation of individual participants:
• Music as quality of life: VAMS works with therapists to provide opportunities for people coming to terms with significant physical disabilities. This category ranges from weekly karaoke sessions to a professional studio rigged to allow programming by mouth-operated sip n’ puff devices.
• Enabling musical self-development: There are many up and coming musicians with disabilities striving to improve their playing and composition skills. This area can be aided by access to the VAMS studio, technicians, adaptive instruments/equipment and opportunities to collaborate.
• Aiding talent to shine: Artists that have reached a certain level of musicianship require ways to reach an audience. VAMS enables this through presenting concerts, and through the launch of a CD showcasing our finest members.
• GF Strong Karaoke:
These informal sessions run on Wednesday evenings for in-patients, out-patients and former patients
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