Music and dance speak all languages, as Armidale people with disabilities have found in recent weeks.
Around 20 of them, including students from Sandon Primary School, are joining workshops with local musicians at the New England Conservatorium of Music (NECOM) through a program funded by Arts NSW.
The workshops will culminate in AccessFest, at the TAS Hoskins Centre at 2.30pm on Saturday, December 3. The music devised by the group will be one of three segments at the concert, also including an excerpt from The Saturday Magic Theatre Troup’s Rockin’ Robin and the Hoods and a cameo from the DanceAbility group.
Gillian Howell, a freelance music director from Melbourne, is Artistic Director and is helping the musicians and participants put together original music work to be performed at the concert. The joint project between NECOM and The Ascent Group is a community music project where the emphasis is on all participants creating music together.
At NECOM, Program Manager Corinne Arter and Music Therapist Natalie Nugent are enthusiastic about the way the program is developing. Well known music teachers and performers Eleanor Streatfield, Rob Woodhouse, Warwick Dunham, Lisa Malynsz and Sofia Debus are all involved and will play with the group at the concert.
“Responses to music are physical, sensory, emotional and non verbal,” Ms Nugent said.
“It is accessible to everyone and a great camaraderie is developing within the group as they come together to make their own music.”
The music program has been sponsored by Arts NSW, the Department of Ageing, Disability and Home Care, Best Employment and The Armidale School. Bookings for AccessFest at NECOM (phone 6772 7203). Entry by gold coin donation.