Missouri State University invites guests to enjoy an inclusive evening of classical music at its sensory-friendly University Symphony Concert Sept. 22. 

Free and open to the public, the event is from 3:30-5 p.m. in Juanita K. Hammons Hall for the Performing Arts. It is sponsored by MSU’s music department in partnership with Project Access and Burrell Behavioral Health Autism Center. 

“My vision is that live classical music should be enjoyed with the performers and audience expressing themselves freely and I want to make it accessible to everyone regardless of their age, background and sensory needs,” said Yi-Ping Chen, visiting assistant professor of music at MSU. 

Embracing all senses 

Sensory-friendly events are designed for the autistic community, who have different sensory needs. 

According to Chen, a key feature of the concert is audience participation.  

“The audience will be able to express themselves through their movement, voice and bodies, unlike traditional classical concerts. We’ll also have built-in audience interactions, where the audience will become part of the performance by singing with the orchestra,” she said. 

Individuals sensitive to sounds can also wear headphones or access quiet rooms. 

“At this concert, we value everyone’s sensory experience,” Chen said. 

Exploring earth, wind, fire and water 

The concert will feature Dr. David Hays as soloist. He is a violin professor and string area coordinator at MSU.  

With the overall atmosphere designed to be inviting, flexible and inclusive, the concert will include four elements: 

• Music about the earth: Antonín Dvorak’s “In Nature’s Realm” 
• Music about the wind: Antonio Vivaldi’s “Summer – Storm Movement” 
• Music about fire: Manuel de Falla’s “Ritual Fire Dance” 
• Music about water: Claude Debussy’s “Clair de Lune and Smetana’s Moldau”  

There will also be a special audience interaction piece, “Coradh” (Bending) by Inti Figgis-Vizueta. It will involve the audience in singing and matching the orchestra’s music, exploring different ways to blend the sound world together.  

Public affairs in action 

For MSU’s music students, this concert helps them become global citizen scholars committed to public affairs.  

“By participating in the event, our students will be a part of the university’s effort to promote empathy and use music to bring people of different backgrounds together,” Chen said.  “We also aim to increase Springfield’s awareness of mental health and the neurodiverse community’s needs.”