The Iowa State Wind Ensemble will host a sensory-friendly concert at 5:30 p.m. Friday in the Tye Recital Hall, located on the ground floor of the Simon Estes Music Hall.
The concert is the first of its kind for the university and the music and theater department, as the university has never before made a commitment to creating a sensory-friendly environment for neurodivergent individuals during a concert or performance.
“Audience members are welcome to express their delight and excitement at any moment during the concert without judgment,” according to the Inside Iowa State website.
The concert is slated to last 45 minutes, with attendees encouraged to explore the beauty of music in a non-judgmental environment.
Michael Golemo, director of bands and professor of music, commented on the concert.
“My grandson, who is five years old, is autistic and non-verbal,” Golemo stated in an email to the Daily. “Because of him, I’ve noticed ‘sensory friendly’ events that perhaps I might not have noticed before–be it a special day at the state fair or perhaps at the zoo. I thought this might be worth trying as an event with our Wind Ensemble. People with autism gravitate towards instrumental music, as the physical repetition is calming.”
Before the event, attendees are invited to explore musical instruments in room 102, starting at 5 p.m.
In the case that an attendee becomes overstimulated, the ISU Wind Ensemble will have a darkened room prepared on the other side of the lobby within the Simon Estes Music Hall.
“The concert will feature instruments for individuals to play and explore as well as opportunities for freedom of expression at any time during the performance,” according to the ISU Music and Theater Instagram page.
The event will be free for all attendees and will feature quieter, more upbeat music that is both family- and sensory-friendly.
In order to make the music more sensory-friendly, the Wind Ensemble will utilize “quieter” instruments such as the piccolo, or sandpaper blocks.
“I also hope that our students in the Wind Ensemble will understand the importance of serving others,” Golemo stated. “It is not always enough to be successful. Sometimes it is more important to be of value.”
To create a visually appealing experience, the Wind Ensemble plans to have some members of the band stand up during a feature.
“I think this is a great ‘town-gown’ event that supports our community,” Golemo stated. “It also allows people that might not feel welcome to enjoy a concert without negative comments or attitudes from people that don’t consider neurodivergence. We hope to provide a welcoming, safe and accepting environment.”
The event will be live-streamed and available to watch at this link.
For more information on the ISU Wind Ensemble, visit the Concert Bands website. For more information on the music and theater department, visit their website.
