MISSION VIEJO, Calif.—Four musicians from the Pacific Symphony teamed up with the city of Mission Viejo to put on a performance for children and residents with autism and other sensory sensitivities to light and sound on Feb. 10 at the Norman P. Murray Community and Senior Center.
The concert was part of the Orange County-based orchestra’s concert series held throughout the year for community members with such sensitivities through the city’s Special Needs and Adaptive Programming initiative, or SNAP, which hosts events for people with disabilities.
The music program, titled “An Animal Adventure,” included classic film and television scores from movies “The Pink Panther,” “Jaws,” “The Little Mermaid,” and other well-known tunes.
Throughout the 30-minute performance, orchestra member Jennise Hwang encouraged audience members to clap and stomp along with each song.
“I love engaging with the audience. It’s my favorite part of the show,” Hwang told The Epoch Times.
Mary Hawkes, a spokesperson for the orchestra, told The Epoch Times such interaction helps those with sensory processing sensitivities to anticipate and process sharp changes in tune and rhythm with more ease.
“It helps those with sensory sensitivities feel included and more engaged, which helps them enjoy the show without feeling so overwhelmed,” she said.
Among the nearly 50 in attendance at the concert were Mission Viejo Mayor Brian Goodell and City Councilman Bob Ruesch, who expressed their enjoyment following the show.
“Mission Viejo is an arts-centered city, and some of our residents [with sensory sensitivities] may be missing some of that, so we’re really happy to provide shows like this for them,” Ruesch told The Epoch Times.
The Pacific Symphony has hosted 16 similar shows around the county this year alone, according to Hawkes, the orchestra’s spokeswoman. Other shows include tribute concerts for Holocaust survivors, K–12 aged kids with varying disabilities, and others who request such shows.
The symphony has worked with Mission Viejo for the last 15 years to put on shows throughout the year, with its annual summer concert in the city estimated to attract crowds of over 6,000, according to Hawkes.
