Australian Youth Orchestra
Momentum Ensemble and Connecting the Dots in Music
In a successful creative collaboration, AYO’s Momentum Ensemble came together for a community project bringing music to children with disabilities in Adelaide. The project, Music For All, saw this unique partnership as a way to unite students of all abilities to enjoy the creative process of music performance.
Over the course of the week animateur Paul Rissmann and violinist Belinda McFarlane joined musicians from the Australian Youth Orchestra to rehearse for a concert with the community members and young people from Kilparrin, the South Australian School for Vision Impaired, and Sunedan School.
The end result was an enriching experience for all involved, with a heart-warming performance inspired by the Australian picture book Fancy Pants, by Kelly Hibbert and Amanda Graham.
Emily Gann, Educator and Project Manager from the Connecting the Dots in Music Foundation says the project has demonstrated the incredible sense of community through music.
“We have been overwhelmed by all the amazing feedback from teachers, families, musicians, community members and students about Music For All Project.”
“Without exception, each message has noted how the project has demonstrated the incredible power of music to build stronger communities and improve lives. Play on, people, play on!”
The school students and AYO musicians alike found the experience to be one of immense value, with each group commenting on the impact the other had made on their experience.
Loni Fitzpatrick reflected on her experience as a Momentum Ensemble musician within the project.
“I’m still smiling from ear to ear over the week that was! A week in Adelaide with Australian Youth Orchestra’s Momentum Ensemble, working alongside Connecting the Dots in Music and some of the most incredibly inspiring and motivating musicians has left my heart filled with all of the good things!”
Nevaeh from the South Australian School for Vision Impaired:
“It was an amazing experience and I enjoyed the workshops that we had throughout the week. I enjoyed meeting Paul and Bindi and all the people from the AYO. My new experience was playing with an orchestra. It was an amazing week and I’d definitely do it again.”
This project has been made possible through a unique partnership between the Marion Council Youth Development Grant scheme, Kilparrin Teaching & Assessment School & Services, Australian Youth Orchestra and Connecting the Dots in Music.
On behalf of the Music For All team, Connecting the Dots in Music has created a short film of the recent project.