With excitement shining in his eyes, a 17-year-old student holds the trumpet in his hands. He does his best to blow but no sound comes out. Finally, he looks up and says two words, “Help, please.” “The boy’s teachers were amazed,” recalls Elizabeth Simpson, French Horn player with the…
Live music delivers a rich and rewarding multi-sensory experience. Alexandre’s dad relates how his autistic son has fostered a deeper connection with classical music, and how his newfound joy can be found in all of us. The Music Circle Program launched in 2012 and was developed…
The NAC’s Music Circle Workshops for children, high school students and adults with special needs are run in partnership with the Lotus Centre for Special Music Education and the Ottawa-Carleton District School Board and take place in schools and community organizations. NAC Orchestra…
If you were to try to describe unbridled human joy to a newcomer on planet Earth, pointing directly at Kyle during Elizabeth Simpson’s Music Circle class would make an easy visual. Kyle sits in the standard public high school chair, one leg tucked under another, and beams as Liz Simpson…
Soon the NAC Orchestra will be on their way to the United Kingdom. During final rehearsals, some musicians took a few moments to speak about what aspects of the UK Tour they are most looking forward to. For viola player Paul Casey the luxury of spending extra time with the repertoire is…
The NAC Orchestra has many wonderful concerts that bring the joy of music to young people. However for kids who are on the Austistic Spectrum attending a live performance can be overwhelming. In order to reach out to this group of music lovers the NAC collaborated with Erin Parkes the…
NAC Orchestra musicians reflect on their visit to Lok Sin Tong Primary School while enjoying the magnificent view from Victoria Peak in Hong Kong.