“We believe the sensory-input from large acoustic instruments can’t be beat! Join us May 14th for the first Sensory-Friendly Concert. Follow us, the second Saturday of every month, at Church on the Rock, in Millersville, MD. Directly across the street from Ruth Parker Eason School, where we have our Autism Society local chapter meetings.”
Hello everyone!!! Ms.CJ here. I wish there were more time to write…I’ve got so much to share! I’ve been meeting so many wonderful Musical Autists around the world that will soon be showcased right here!
But my mental redirection keeps me singularly focused on finishing the semester well, in my graduate studies. Mental redirection, meaning…. a feeling that kind of feels like a firm & gentle tap on the shoulder of my mind. (Ps, I learned that imagery from Dr. Suzanne Sorel, one of my most favorite music therapists.)
Promise, you will see more posts from The Musical Autist after finals are over next wednesday. It is my hope and mission that The Musical Autist will one day be a full website, run by my musically-autistic students, and they will be consistent post contributors! who knows maybe even this time next year! 🙂
So, for now I just have one very, VERY important announcement.
The Launch of Sensory-Friendly Concert Series!
Huge shout-out to Andrew Krach (fellow ‘Autism-Friendly Artist’) for this brilliant flyer – nice work my brother!
So, wherever you live on the planet….join us in this concept: *good quality music is deserving in the autism community.* Help us to raise awareness.
These concerts are equally for kids on the spectrum, as well as for their parents. They are for adults on the spectrum, as well as for their neuro-typical friends and caretakers.
We believe the sensory-input from large acoustic instruments can’t be beat! Basic accommodations for kids on the spectrum will be provided. (head-phones/soft earplugs and a quiet sensory room adjacent to the concert sanctuary)
See, in typical jazz and classical concerts, the audience is expected to sit quietly and clap when appropriate. Lol, that is just not possible when you’re talking about the Spectrum!! We’re talking INCLUSION. We’re talking DISABILITY RIGHTS. We’re talking GOOD MUSIC and AUTISM ACCEPTANCE.
The best of jazz and classical artists in the DC/Annapolis/Baltimore are being asked to become official “Autism-Friendly Artists.” We believe with all our hearts that there are many Musical Autists in our area that would greatly appreciate the opportunity to hear them play live. That is the philosophy behind “Sensory-Friendly Concerts.”
We will be creating a model for others to replicate this philosophy in their own local communities…. complete with downloadable “Autism-Friendly Artist” brochures and manuals, as well as flyer templates.
Please, please everyone: Share, tweet, like, post, comment, chat, BELIEVE!
Believe a concert setting should include ALL people.
This is respecting *neurodiversity* at its finest..
Let me be very clear, just to supersede any potential issues. The sensory-friendly concerts are not music therapy. I repeat: they are NOT music therapy. Yes, I’m graduate school for music therapy. I know what music therapy is, and this is not it! These are simply….well, *sensory-friendly concerts*!!! =^D thx! much love! Ms.CJ
thanks! spread the word!
I just realized that I have a friend who is quite talented. Mind if I share and see if she would be interested in performing at a future concert??