Stoke-on-Trent’s only professional orchestra, The Symphonia Verbum Orchestra (SVO), will be launching the city’s first ‘relaxed’ performance on Friday 21st June at the Swan Bank Church, in Burslem, at 2pm.
The event is planned to be one of many for the city with the aim of uniting communities in live orchestral music by providing relaxed performances that make music accessible to audiences who find traditional concert hall settings challenging. Measures such as keeping lights on, doors open and providing safe spaces to view away from crowds are all designed to help those with learning difficulties, autism, dementia, or other sensory communication disorders to access the event.
Joe Hearson, Artistic Director at The Symphonia Verbum Orchestra, which works with up to 60 professional musicians to deliver a program of orchestral performances and school workshops across Stoke-on-Trent, Staffordshire, and Cheshire, said: "Being immersed in live music is an uplifting and very special experience which we strongly believe helps improve health and wellbeing as well as academic achievement. Unfortunately, for some traditional concert settings may be challenging so we are passionate about breaking down barriers and making such performances accessible."