Project Trio Performs at Music for Autism’s Brooklyn Debut

On Dec.18, 2010  over 125 people came from all over New York City to hear the Project Trio at Music for Autism’s first-ever Brooklyn concert.  The spectacular concert, organized and funded by M4A and co-sponsored by My Time, Inc., was an amazing experience for everyone involved.

Individuals with autism and their families, music therapists and special education teachers were among those who attended the event. The audience, encouraged to participate, danced to the music in their seats or in front of the stage.  Children got a chance to conduct the Project Trio, learning about tempo and rhythm, and in the moment all had been waiting for, participants were given the opportunity to play along with the Project Trio using percussion instruments supplied in part by M4A.

The effect of the concert’s inclusive atmosphere was easy to observe. A middle school student with Aspergers turned himself into a percussion instrument, using his hands and feet to produce complex rhythms. Another child with autism learned a new skill, astonishing his mother as he spoke with the Project Trio’s videographer and handled the camera adeptly. At the beginning of one piece, The Project Trio explained their inspiration for the composition. As a girl in the audience danced gracefully to the song, she suddenly yelled to the musicians, “I get it!”  The musicians acknowledged the girl with a nod. As she continued dancing, a smile lit up her face.

Several parents thanked M4A for holding the event in Brooklyn, noting that that they usually have to travel to Manhattan to experience a high-quality event that is welcoming to their children.

“The best aspect of the experience was when the announcer said that this is a function where you can be yourself. Parents kept silencing their loved ones at the beginning of the performance.  I stepped in to reinforce the announcer’s concept and asked the families if their family member would dance with me,” ,” said The Child’s Space for Children with Special Needs staff member, Juana Flores. “At first the audience participants were shy, but they soon warmed up when they noticed that no one would be reprimanded for honking, hollering, flinching and exhibiting their excitement.”

An adult participant, who described his experience, said, “Here I feel comfortable. Not singled out. Can I come again?”