Bethel - "Music is good for my soul!"

"Yesterday", the Beatles' earworm from the 1960s, rings through the long corridors of a former primary school in Bielefeld-Quelle. The door to the rehearsal room of the inclusive rock and pop band "Rocketstars" is only ajar, and the musicians on electric guitar, drums and microphone are passionately giving it their all. Simone Schulz, who imitates the strings on her keyboard, is also highly focussed.

The 45-year-old autistic musician doesn't need sheet music. She has internalised the notes and melody, her fingers glide confidently over the keyboard. Rehearsals with the "Rocketstars" are a weekly highlight for Simone Schulz, and not just because she loves making music. "It's good for my soul," she says. Playing the piano and keyboard relaxes her: "When I get angry, nervous or worked up, making music helps me. I'm no longer so jittery."

The effect is so strong that Simone Schulz is even allowed to play the piano in her workshop to "calm down". There is a piano in the lobby of the workshop at Bullerbach - much to the delight of the other employees, who are able to enjoy free concerts.

"When I'm angry, nervous or hyper, making music helps me. I'm no longer so fidgety."
Simone Schulz

More independent in your own home

Before rehearsing with the "Rocketstars", Simone Schulz took piano lessons in the room opposite. Both are offered by Musicus e.V. - a music and art school that supports people with and without disabilities. Simone Schulz's mother is the second chairwoman of the organisation. Berta Margarete Huldt recognised early on that her daughter was musically gifted and encouraged her accordingly. "Art and music also help her to express her feelings. This is the case with many autistic people who are not able to do this verbally," she explains.

Simone Schulz lived with her mother for a long time. She practised intensively to manage her everyday life as independently as possible - with increasing success. Six months ago, she managed to move into her own flat, where she receives outpatient care from Bethel. She goes shopping on her own, for example. "That works quite well now," she says. She can also travel to her rehearsals and piano lessons on her own using public transport. She admits that the only thing she sometimes finds difficult is handling money.

Simone Schulz is creative in many areas. In her workshop, she works in the ceramics department. There she loves to paint cups, watch plates and piggy banks. She also uses every opportunity to create at home. In particular, she picks up a paintbrush and paints watercolours. She is also part of the ensemble of the inclusive Bethel theatre group "Götterspeise".

 

Text: Gunnar Kreutner | Photos: Paul Schulz

This story simply told

Simone Schulz is autistic. She is 45 years old. And she plays an instrument: the keyboard. Simone Schulz plays in a band. This band is called "Rocketstars". Making music calms Simone Schulz. She says: "Music is good for my soul." Simone Schulz works in a Bethel workshop. There is a piano here that she plays during the breaks.

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