The Sunny Music project seeks to facilitate social adaptation of children with mental disabilities by exposing them to the musical culture. The aim of the project is to show that music can help people with incurable mental illnesses, particularly those afflicted with the Down syndrome, to develop and socialize. By developing their ear for music and motor skills, they can improve their cognitive abilities, something that has been demonstrated by scientific research. The project makes it possible to use a variety of different approaches to promoting social adaptation and rehabilitation of children, adolescents and young people with mental disabilities while also helping to raise awareness of inclusive creativity.

2023 saw more than 30 children with mental impairments attend music classes in Nizhnekamsk and Dzerzhinsk as part of the project.

Three groups of musicians including the principal group from Moscow and two more groups from Dzerzhinsk and Nizhnekamsk, set up within the framework of the project, had rehearsed several music pieces that they performed at the project’s closing recitals in the cities where the project was under implementation. The young musicians worked one-on-one with their music teachers to perfect their instrument-playing skills and learn their parts.

The project culminated with a series of final concerts and photo exhibitions featuring the project’s participants held in Dzerzhinsk and Nizhnekamsk on November 22, 2023, and on December 9, 2023, respectively.