This past Friday, the ISU wind ensemble held their second ever family and sensory-friendly concert to include people in the community who may not usually be able to enjoy productions like this.
Audience members included adults, Iowa State students and children of all ages and abilities.
From the musicians’ and the audience members’ perspective, the concert was a big success. The performance perfectly combined the advanced level of the ISU wind ensemble with creative children’s songs and upbeat melodies.
The band also provided sensory toys at the entrance to the concert hall and a dark room for audience members to step out if they became overstimulated.
The crowd was filled with people of all different ages and backgrounds. Lisa Nelles attended with her two young children who have various sensory sensitivities.
“I was in music all through college myself and my brother is actually in the wind symphony, so it’s a personal connection,” Nelles said. “It’s hard for us to find events like this to go to that I don’t have to worry about them disrupting anything, so it’s a great opportunity for them to be exposed to music, too.”
The ensemble played some pieces that were more challenging, including “Shepherd’s Hey,” “Flight of the Flutes” and “Shelter in the Sky,” where they showed off their talents in contrast, tone and dynamics.
One of the professional songs called “Gabriel’s Oboe” featured oboe soloist Harbour Buchanan, who had a special connection in this performance. Her brother Liam, who was born with Down syndrome, was sitting in the audience.
Buchanan shared how much it meant to her.
“It means a lot,” Buchanan said. “When we go out in public and do stuff, sometimes it’s like he doesn’t have the same needs as everyone else and so some people can be disruptive, but this is a concert where we don’t have to worry about people feeling that way.”
In the middle of the concert, the band brought out special guest Ms. Rachel, a YouTube sensation who sings songs and does dances for children. All of the kids and parents knew the motions to every song and formed a line in the lobby to take pictures with Ms. Rachel after the show.
According to the Department of Music and Theatre, ISU’s wind ensemble is recognized as the top concert band at Iowa State. Although the band was conducted by Michael Golemo for this performance, they have worked with many successful conductors and soloists.
After the concert, Golemo talked about why he decided to start hosting this concert last year and how it hit home for him.
“We started it last year because Iowa State has never had anything that’s been sensory-friendly, and I have a grandson who is autistic and nonverbal,” Golemo said. “I’ve noticed that there’s so many events throughout the state and at the State Fair and at the zoo that are sensory-friendly events specifically designed for those people.”
The ISU wind ensemble’s sensory and family-friendly show Friday was a hit and drove in an accepting and welcoming crowd for children and anyone who might not get to have an experience similar to that again until next year.
If you would like to learn more about the ISU wind ensemble, visit the concert band page of Iowa State’s website here.
