'Sensory-friendly' concert in Sudbury brings music to people with autism, special needs
An upcoming concert in Greater Sudbury aims to make concerts more inclusive to people with different cognitive abilities — and hopes to bring the joy of live music to some who may never have heard it before.
Members of the Silver Birch String Quartet have teamed up with a registered music therapist to re-think how concerts can be more a pleasant and engaging experience for families "touched by a developmental disability, such as Autism," according to the quartet's web site.
"My nephew has Down Syndrome and autism," explained Jane Russell, violist and violinist. "Whenever I go to visit him, I play music for him, and I noticed such a change in his personality and his demeanour ... He smiles much more, he dances around, he can sit still for longer periods of time."
Accredited music therapist Kylie Klym noted that concert environments are generally full of stimuli that can be disruptive — and even frightening — to some.
"Applause can be a big, big thing," she said. "It's a loud, sudden noise, and that may be startling to some individuals. Also just the requirement to sit for long periods of time [can be hard]."
This pay-what-you-can concert is trying to take all of those disruptive factors into consideration. For example, will be shorter than usual with soft lighting, and there will be no chairs in order to encourage people to express themselves physically as they wish, said Russell.
The number of musicians will be pared-back, and sound will begin softly and scale up. Applause will happen by sign language. And rather than being off-limits during show time, the lobby will be a quiet space for those who need a break.
Klym will "lead the audience in optional movement, listening, and vocalizing throughout the show."
Russell said she's looking forward to seeing the "joy" in the room.
"Presenting music — live music — to people who maybe have never heard [it] before, because they, or their parents or caregivers were sort of worried about other people's reactions, and I'm so looking forward to the joy on people's faces!"
The concert takes place at 2:30 p.m., Sat., April 9 at St. Peter's United Church, 203 York Street in Sudbury.
Listen to the complete interview on the Sensory-Friendly Concert here.
