A parent's view: Neneh Cherry
As a musician from a defiantly musical family, Neneh Cherry would have been hard pressed not to have brought music into the lives of her own children. Her father, Don Cherry was a jazz musician and her brother Eagle Eye Cherry has taken a similar route to Neneh as an internationally acclaimed singer and musician. Neneh's husband Cameron McVey is a music producer and co-wrote and produced her debut album. They have toured together as musicians and are both currently in a band called Cirkus. Neneh talks to Youth Music about the positive impact that music has had on her four children, and the way in which music has always been a very natural part of their everyday lives.
- How important do you think it is for your children to have access to music and music making opportunities?
Bit of an unfair question really seeing as how they've all been subjected to music pretty much 24/7 all the way through their various upbringings due to mine and my husband's careers! But funnily enough three of the four are either making music or at music schools so something must have stuck! I believe that exposure to all the arts is vital for a rounded growth in a child.
- How have you used music at home with your children?
We've tortured them with it! Our studio used to be in the house. Also we have a stand-up piano which they love, and constant music blaring 'round the house from several online connections.
- At what stage did you introduce your children to music?
In the womb in all three out of the four cases. The pace of reggae music is roughly the same number of beats per minute as the human heart rate at rest.
- Have you been singing to them since you were pregnant or has music been something that just happens around the home?
Both - at least two of my albums have 90% been recorded whilst pregnant.
- Do you think your own interest in music will colour how your children come into contact with music as they grow up?
Hell yes!
- Do you use any music-based toys or games with them? If so, which ones?
Not really, the house in Sweden is full of weird musical instruments left from my dad Don Cherry's days.
- Are you keen for your children to learn musical instruments?
Not really keen, but it seems to happen anyway!
- How do you think music has helped your own children's development?
It has but I'm not sure I could intellectualise how. They all use music to find themselves in times of trouble, stress etc.
- Have you attended any organised music sessions with your children e.g. at nursery?
Only school concerts, but I'd love to [go to music sessions] with my grandson. The others are too old now!
Further information
To find out more about what's going on in your area, get in touch with your local council or have a look at Bongo Club's directory which lists services and local music making projects across the UK: http://www.bongoclub.org.uk/in-your-area.html
Youth Music
Youth Music exists to facilitate and fund high quality and diverse musical experiences for young people up to the age of 18, particularly those living in areas of social and economic need.
