Wind musicians plan concert for autistic children, families

• Advocate News Features staff
• Published: Oct 18, 2009

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This will be different from other concerts, where the LSU Symphonic Winds takes the stage in front of a quiet audience.

The audience may not be so quiet at 7 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 22, and that’s the point. Because the LSU Symphonic Winds will expect audience participation and interaction when it takes the stage at First Baptist Church, 529 Convention St.

That’s when the ensemble will perform its first A Special Concert for Special Friends specifically designed for children, adults and families of autism and similar disabilities.

The concert will run only an hour, and it’s free.

“The music for this concert is different than the music we usually play,” said Linda Moorhouse, conductor. “Our concert will be very audience friendly, and the music will be fun and entertaining. In fact, we hope to involve the members of the audience with moving, singing, whistling and maybe even playing some percussion instruments in a special selection. We have a little bit of everything from movie theme favorites and Dixieland to an LSU school song or two.”

Best of all, children will be able to meet with musicians and touch musical instruments.

Moorhouse developed the idea for the concert after learning about a similar program at another music school.

The most recent studies show that as many as one in 100 children have been diagnosed with an autism spectrum disorder of some kind. For most, attending a live concert without moving or making a sound is a difficult endeavor.

“This concert is the first of what I hope will be an annual series in the Baton Rouge community,” Moorhouse said. “My students and I are very excited to bring the gift of music to this very special audience.”

Members of Families Helping Families and the Baton Rouge Chapter of the Autism Society will be in attendance to distribute information on local support groups to those who may be new to the community.

The church is handicapped accessible. There also will be rooms available for those who need to move to and from the main room where the concert will take place. For more information, call (225) 578-2384.