Friday, February 27, 2009
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
North Central College to host Concert for Children with Autism
NAPERVILLE, Ill. (Feb. 27, 2009)-North Central College will host the third annual Concert for Children with Autism at 7 p.m. Saturday, March 14, in Wentz Concert Hall at the Fine Arts Center, 171 E. Chicago Ave. Admission is free.
The event appeals to children with autism or other special needs, and allows them to experience performances of classical music in a world-class concert hall. The College's Concert Winds ensemble will perform works selected for an audience whose members are free to talk, clap, make noise and move around during the performance.
North Central College to host Concert for Children with Autism
NAPERVILLE, Ill. (Feb. 27, 2009)-North Central College will host the third annual Concert for Children with Autism at 7 p.m. Saturday, March 14, in Wentz Concert Hall at the Fine Arts Center, 171 E. Chicago Ave. Admission is free.
The event appeals to children with autism or other special needs, and allows them to experience performances of classical music in a world-class concert hall. The College's Concert Winds ensemble will perform works selected for an audience whose members are free to talk, clap, make noise and move around during the performance.
The Concert Winds ensemble performs under the direction of North Central College Associate Professor of Music and Director of Bands Lawrence Van Oyen.
"Normally when we put on a concert, the musicians focus on their music and the audience is very quiet," Van Oyen says. "For this concert, there is a shift. It's not about the musicians. It's about the audience."
The previous two concerts each drew audiences of more than 100 participants. This year's will be the first in the Wentz Concert Hall, which was dedicated in October 2008.
"The families are there to enjoy the music with their children in an accepting atmosphere," says Karen Anderson of Batavia, one of the organizers of the event. "An added benefit is the networking that can occur between parents during the reception following the concert."
The event's organizers include Susan Maynes of St. Charles and Jamie Walden-Mather of St. Charles, a visiting lecturer at North Central College.
"The audience experiences the joy of music in a warm and welcoming environment, and band members, ushers, technicians and planners alike are lifted by the wonderful, appreciative response they receive from the special needs families," Maynes says.
Autism is a brain development disorder that impairs a child's social and intellectual development. Its causes and effects are not entirely understood, although diagnoses have dramatically increased in recent years. Last year, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported that the prevalence of autism had risen to 1 in every 150 American children.
Families are asked to RSVP for the event by March 11 by contacting the Autism Society of Illinois at 630-691-1270 or email info@autismillinois.org. After the concert, light refreshments will be served, including gluten-free snacks. Attendees will be able to meet and speak with musicians.
The concert is supported by North Central College and sponsored in part by Kirkland & Ellis LLP and by attorney Robert Farley, a legal advocate for people with disabilities.
This performance is one of many ongoing programs at North Central College to enrich and broaden the cultural and academic outlook for the College and community. For a comprehensive schedule of musical performances, theatrical productions, art exhibits and lectures, visit www.northcentralcollege.edu/show or call North Central's Office of Marketing and Communications at 630-637-5300.
posted by Chicago Music Guide # 10:16 AM 
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