Sensory friendly concert part of Pacific Symphony’s set list

The lunchtime audience put their hands together for a single clap as members of the Pacific Symphony played “Pop Goes the Weasel” during a concert Friday at the Norman P. Murray Community and Senior Center in Mission Viejo.

The free concert was designed to create an arts experience for people with sensory sensitivities, autism and other social, learning or cognitive needs. Keeping with the concert’s theme of “An Animal Adventure,” some of the pieces played were “Old MacDonald,” “Baby Shark,” music from “The Little Mermaid” and the theme song from “The Pink Panther.”

The four symphony members also showed off their instruments, explaining the sound each one makes. Jennise Hwang and Agnes Gottschewski played the violin; Warren Hagerty was on cello and Cheryl Gates featured the viola. When the concert ended, everyone rose to their feet and gave the musicians a standing ovation.

The Pacific Symphony plays a popular outdoor summer concert in Mission Viejo, and last year reached an agreement with city leaders for a series of additional programs, including this week’s sensory-friendly performance.

On Tuesday, the City Council will consider an update to that agreement that will finalize a schedule of events through June. The city would pay $34,000 for the proposed future performances for seniors and middle school students and at local parks, if the council approves.

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