Volume 25 Issue 2 - October 2019

Daniel Bartholomew-Poyser was a veteran of the relaxed initiative.
McFarlane consulted a series of experts on autism (including Rachel
Marks) and reached out to over 75 community groups serving neurologically
diverse children, rapidly selling out the show’s over 800 seats.
Those who missed out on a ticket needn’t fret. “I see this as a transition
to one day when all performances will be accessible to those with
sensory issues,” says McFarlane.
Bartholomew-Poyser is equally dedicated to the enterprise. Face
beaming, he strides to the front of the stage and invites the crowd
to feel at home – they can vocalize, flap their arms, or dance in the
aisles. “You’re welcome to take care of your needs,” he says. The audience
cheers.
Bartholomew-Poyser is clearly in his element. He’s been conducting
Relaxed Performances with the Thunder Bay Symphony Orchestra
since 2012. They got positive feedback after the first one, and
developed a large and loyal following for subsequent spinoffs. “Both
children and parents were so grateful to have a place to come without
fear of judgment,” says the conductor.
Bartholomew-Poyser is tinkering just a little with today’s numbers.
He’s toning down the percussion section and also warning the audience
of any sudden loud noises. “There will be no surprises,” he
promises. But most importantly, he’s making the spectators feel safe
under his wing.
Saunders and her son are both touched by the conductor’s attitude.
Emerson is used to environments where he has to work so hard to stay
still that he can’t appreciate the show. “For him to know that he could
enjoy himself – that was a child balloon,” says his mother.
Thursday, October 17 at 8 pm
QUARTETTO DI
CREMONA
Boccherini, Verdi, Puccini, Respighi
VIVIEN FELLEGI
Daniel Bartholomew-Poyser
The conductor’s words are equally reassuring for Saunders.
“Normally in performances I have to put a hand on his knee to remind
him to calm his body and quiet his voice,” she says. But not today.
“We’re both relaxed – that’s the beauty of it.”
It seems like the other spectators are equally at ease. They’re
singing, rocking, and running up and down the aisles. One girl stands
up and pretends to conduct.
As the concert progresses, kids skip down to the front row, where
they twirl and bounce alongside the professional dancers. One teenager
with a grey hoodie makes an impromptu debut, leaping onto
the stage where he kicks his long legs in perfect tandem with the
lithe Irish jiggers. He ignores his caregiver who’s frantically beckoning
to him.
Emerson is intrigued by the boy’s bravado, watching the breakout
star with wide eyes as the tween wriggles around in his seat. The
younger boy worries that the show crasher is headed for trouble.
But when the teen hops gracefully back to the floor at the end of
the number, the auditorium erupts in applause. Emerson joins in,
relieved. “Nobody freaked out – everyone enjoyed it,” says Saunders.
“That’s what a Relaxed Performance is all about.”
The children’s joyous reaction to today’s music doesn’t surprise
professionals in the field of autism. Many individuals on the spectrum
are musically gifted, says Rachael Finnerty, psychotherapist,
music therapist, and founder of the Ontario Music Therapy Academy.
According to one study, kids on the spectrum had better pitch,
Tuesday, October 22 at 8 pm
PIANO SIX
NEW GENERATION GALA
with Marika Bournaki, Daniel Wnukowski,
David Jalbert, Ian Parker, Angela Park,
Anastasia Rizikov
27 Front Street East, Toronto
Tickets: 416-366-7723 | music-toronto.com
thewholenote.com October 2019| 9