From our sponsor: Pittsburgh Symphony’s sensory-friendly “Music of Flight and Fantasy”

On June 17, 2017 at Heinz Hall, the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra will perform a sensory-friendly concert entitled, “Music of Flight and Fantasy.”  This will be the third concert of its kind, in an effort to be more inclusive and to reach broader audiences, especially those with disabilities and sensory sensitivities.

These concerts are for any age as we have heard from many patrons and families that there is a reticence to attend a classical concert.  Families have limited options to attend concerts and events as a whole, often splitting themselves in half and leaving the member with a disability at home.  The Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra wants the entire family to attend this sensory friendly concert together!  The environment is welcoming, non-judgmental, and relaxed. Everyone is free to enjoy themselves and express themselves in whatever way they feel most comfortable.

Pre-Concert activities in the hour before the concert from 1:15 – 2:15 pm enable attendees to experience the theme of the concert in multiple sensory rooms including:

• Kinesthetic Room – Join the Pittsburgh Ballet faculty for creative movement activities!
• Musician Meet & Greets – Meet and hear members of your Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra.
• Quiet Room – If you need a moment, visit this room equipped with bean bag chairs, weighted lap pads and neck rolls, noise-canceling headphones, play mats, and coloring materials.   
• Picture This! – Take a picture with your favorite character cutout in the Grand Lobby.  Dress up and become a character on the Music of Flight and Fantasy program. Share your photos on social media at #PSOsensoryfriendly.   
• Sound Exploratorium – Explore percussion instruments, singing, and movement with our friends from Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh of UPMC Music Therapy Department!
• Fiddlesticks’ Art Room – Create one or more flight and fantasy inspired art projects facilitated by staff from the Children’s Museum and the Andy Warhol Museum. Don’t forget to visit Fiddlesticks, our feline musical ambassador to children!

Find pre-visit materials at www. pittsburghsymphony.org/sensoryfriendly. Created by Roger Ideishi, JD, OT, FAOTA and Christina Smith, MOT, OTR/L from Temple University in Philadelphia, these materials assist in preparing you for your experience at Heinz Hall and in enhancing your learning.

The concert, “Music of Flight and Fantasy,” will feature musical selections that celebrate stories, characters, and adventure. The program will engage the imagination and delight individuals using the narratives and music from ET, Harry Potter, Star Wars, Willy Wonka and The Chocolate Factory, and The Wizard of Oz. Ballet dancers featured in Tchaikovsky’s Swan Lake give the audience a sense of flight and fantasy. Guest soloists will enhance the experience with live drawing, singing, and musical solos.

In addition to the services available at all Heinz Hall performances (curbside assistance, accessible entrances and seating, an accessible restroom, and portable FM assistive listening devices and hearing loop), we will have a family restroom, Braille programs, large print programs, ASL interpretation, and Communication Access Real-Time Translation (CART) at the concert.

All tickets are $15 and you can find out more at www.pittsburghsymphony.org/sensoryfriendly or call 412.392.4900.