In a Central Coast first, the Wallarah Community Band is going all out to crash through the kinds of barriers that hinder people with disabilities from experiencing live band music when it stages the Band Spectacular concert at Mingara Recreation Club on December 17.
“Often it is not the disability, but rather the social, physical, and or economic barriers that exclude people from enjoying live music,” the band’s music director Rowen McBride said.
“Like many Australians, people with a disability are part of our band community, our families, and friends.
“This Band Spectacular is dedicated to the International Day of People with a Disability – a day nominated by the United Nations for communities to reduce the social, physical, and or economic barriers that hinder people with a disability from being their authentic selves, equal in society and independent.”
Wallarah Community Band was formed by Kanwal Public School band teachers, students and parents to help primary school players continue developing as musicians outside of their school band.
Parents who had also started learning an instrument joined in and now the band attracts players from all over the Central Coast with rehearsals still taking place at Kanwal Public School.
McBride said the event would be as inclusive and accessible as possible using several different methods.
One includes Feel the Beat haptic vests and headsets that will immerse people with and without a disability to feel the music as a special tactile and sensory experience including those who are deaf or hard of hearing.
A sensory time-out, to move in or out of the showroom, will happen every 20-30 minutes as bands change over on stage so people can enjoy the music for a short while or for as long as they wish.
Audience members can bring their own noise-cancelling headphones or try the headsets available.
Mingara Recreation Club is centrally located at Tumbi Umbi, accessible by bus or vehicle, with loads of disability parking and there are a range of cafes and restaurants for drinks, meals, or snacks.
There are also lifts to the lower-level showroom to provide access for all and for ease of movement, the audience will be seated around tables, not in traditional rows.
“Music on the day will range from pop songs, movie anthems, concert band pieces and a few Christmas carols to delight our audience,” McBride said.
Students from seven public primary school bands will also be playing on the day including Chittaway Bay, Terrigal, Ourimbah, Kanwal, Woodport, Wamberal and Niagara Park Public School.
“So, crash through the barriers with us and enjoy this amazing Band Spectacular that will be accessible and inclusive for all people in our Central Coast community,” McBride said.
This concert is supported by the NSW Government through Create NSW.
The event starts at 11.30am and runs until 4pm. Entry by donation.
Inquiries: wallarahband@gmail.com