Music for Autism provides professional classical music concerts in schools for children with Special Educational Needs (SEN). Many children and young people in special schools do not have the opportunity to see an instrument being played, to meet a conductor or professional musician or to hear live music. This experience can improve communication skills and have a hugely positive impact on their wellbeing.

Music for Autism has been running for 20 years and has recently been incorporated into the Orchestra of St John’s. In order to enable pupils to obtain the maximum benefit from each concert, Music for Autism is developing materials and activities for teachers to go alongside each workshop.

The ALMT grant enables Music for Autism to continue to develop these resources and provide five days of classical concerts in Special Schools in Oxfordshire. The concerts allow young people with SEN to engage with live music, express themselves with spontaneous dance and movement and improve their mood and wellbeing. Each concert day consists of three workshops and reaches 100 young people.

Pupils have diverse and complex needs with a vast range of levels of ability and communication skills. Whilst principally working with young people with autism, the workshops also include those with learning difficulties, physical disabilities and speech and language difficulties. Schools frequently report wonderful reactions from the young people in response to the music. This is particularly moving when the musicians have been playing for young people with severe disabilities.