The Batsman and I were very lucky to be invited to go and see Classic Kids 3: Clowning Around with Melvin Tix on this Saturday just past. The performance was part of the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra's "Family Classic Kids" program which aims to introduce kids to the delights of instruments and music. I was so very keen for us to go to the concert (and take along the Batsman's best friend in the whole wide world, the Curly Haired Girl) but I was nervous at the same time given the Batsman's fairly regular episodes of extreme sensitivity to sound. Our Batsman loves music and so this opportunity was way too good to pass up. Sometimes you have to travel through a bit of a storm to get to the really amazing experience of a rainbow on the other side.
Lasting about forty five minutes, the performance of the orchestra gave children an amazing, close up experience with a full orchestra in an acoustically perfect auditorium. Wow. The genius in the performance is that friendly clown "Melvin Tix" is also the conductor, a fellow musician, balloon artist and all round funny (but gentle) leader of the show. His presence gave the children a pathway down which they could travel to find out about all the components of an orchestra. Intelligent, Accessible. Child-friendly. Fun.
Here's us at the MSO, autism style.
We have headphones! |
Melvin Tix and the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra |
Conducting the orchestra with Melvin. |
Bravo! Applause all round. |
I'm just so glad we took the chance (and the headphones) and did it.
Disclosure:
1) I received tickets for 2 adults and 2 kids to attend the performance as the guests of the MSO. The Batsman and the Curly Haired Girl loved the performance so I am writing about it. I also wanted families of kids with ASD to see that this is potentially an accessible, child friendly entertainment experience.
2) My photos are a little bit dodgy because I left the camera at home. Enter smartphone.
Fantastic Suz! So glad you and the Batsman enjoyed it. The headphones are a brilliant idea.
ReplyDeleteI must say for my class, we practice with really loud CDs from the MSO before we go on our excursion. It is loud.
Sounds like a fantastic experience :)
ReplyDeleteI'm a bit scared to say yes to things right now. It's so uplifting to read this and know there can be yesses in our future :)
Sounds like a great day for you both.
ReplyDeletexo
How wonderful... must have been such a special day xoxo
ReplyDelete