Montreal symphony performs concert for children with autism
The Montreal Symphony Orchestra (MSO/OSM) performed a unique show on Sunday, aimed at welcoming children with autism and other sensory disorders.
The OSMose concert is a relaxed performance for spectators of all ages, particularly children.
Marla Cable is the resource and training centre assistant at the Giant Steps School and said these types of events are incredibly important to children with autism and their parents.
"Many families, they don't go out very often because they don't know how their child is going to react, they don't know how the public's going to react," Marla Cable, assistant director of the training and resource centre at the Giant Steps Centre. "Coming to an event like this, they really feel safe and supported."
The MSO partnered with therapist Nathalie Leroux in 2018 to develop the program focused on enhanced audience accessibility.
For the concert, attendance is limited to 800 people, quiet zones are set up in the lobbies, and pictograms help children identify each zone and take part in the concert.
"It's a project to foster inclusion," Annie Saumier, education director at the MSO. "The goal is to make our concert accessible to everyone really, but thinking about children with special needs."
In addition, there are areas for children to move and dance in, the concert doors are open for easier entrance and exit, and sound levels are controlled to diminish contrasts and loud or startling sounds.
"We developed the concert thinking about all of the barriers that could exist for somebody to come to a regular OSM concert," said Saumier. "The goal is to make it more accessible for everyone."
There are no strobe or targeted lighting effects and the concert hall is dimly lit throughout the performance.
Cable said children can also discover a love of music.
"How do you know if your child likes music or likes symphonies if they don't have a chance to come," said Cable. "We have students at our school that are really into classical music and you only know if you get to experience something like this."
With reporting from CTV News Montreal journalist Matt Gilmour.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
![](https://www.ctvnews.ca/polopoly_fs/1.6979388.1722030190!/httpImage/image.jpg_gen/derivatives/landscape_800/image.jpg)
Celine Dion delivers stirring comeback performance at Paris Olympics opening ceremony
Against the rainy Paris night sky, Celine Dion staged the comeback of her career with a powerful performance from the Eiffel Tower to open the Olympic Games.
Jasper wildfire: 'Several weeks' before residents can return, premier says
Premier Danielle Smith said Friday afternoon in Hinton while weather conditions are cooler, the Jasper fire is still considered out of control and that Jasper residents can expect to be away from their homes 'for several weeks.'
Missing 3-year-old boy found dead in creek in Mississauga, Ont.: police
A three-year-old boy has been found dead a day after he went missing in a park in Mississauga, Ont., Peel police say.
Irish museum pulls Sinead O'Connor waxwork after just one day due to backlash
An Irish museum will withdraw a waxwork of singer-songwriter Sinéad O'Connor just one day after installing it, following a backlash from her family and the public, it told CNN in a statement on Friday.
Winnipeg senior's account overdrawn for $146,000 water bill
A Winnipeg senior is getting soaked with a six-figure water bill.
FBI says Trump was indeed struck by bullet during assassination attempt
Nearly two weeks after Donald Trump’s near assassination, the FBI confirmed Friday that it was indeed a bullet that struck the former president’s ear, moving to clear up conflicting accounts about what caused the former U.S. president’s injuries after a gunman opened fire at a Pennsylvania rally.
Driver charged after flashing high beams at approaching police
Orillia OPP arrested and charged a driver with impaired driving after flashing their high beams.
Turpel-Lafond won't sue CBC over Cree heritage report that took 'heavy toll': lawyer
The lawyer for a former judge whose claims to be Cree were questioned in a CBC investigation says his client is not considering legal action against the broadcaster after the Law Society of British Columbia this week backed her claims of Indigenous heritage.
Major Canadian bank experiences direct deposit outage on payday
Scotiabank says it has fixed a technical issue that impacted direct deposits on Friday morning.