SSO Teams Up with Starlight to Brighten Lives of Sick Kids Through Music

The Sydney Symphony Orchestra (SSO) has today announced its collaboration with the Starlight Children's Foundation (Starlight) to brighten the lives of seriously ill children, young people and their families through music.

Performing for the first time today in the Starlight Express Room at the Sydney Children's Hospital, Randwick and The Children's Hospital at Westmead, the SSO musicians played a mixed program of works and movie scores designed to entertain and educate young audiences. The collaboration will continue with several more performances scheduled for the remainder of 2017 and over 2018.

Speaking about the transformative power of music, SSO Director of Learning and Engagement Linda Lorenza said the continued involvement in health programs is "a core aspect of what makes the SSO truly the people's orchestra."

"The SSO's commitment to making a significant difference to the lives of people of all ages and abilities through the power of music is something that's incredibly important to us," said Lorenza.

"Music should be accessible to everyone and multiple studies have shown the positive health benefits of interacting with music. A collaboration with Starlight is the perfect alignment. We're excited to be working with a team who shares the same vision of bringing joy to the lives of sick kids and their families."

The collaboration with Starlight is the latest in the SSO's continued effort to bring music to people who would otherwise be unable to experience the orchestra's performances. Through its Music4Health program, the SSO has worked with various health and community organisations such as the Autism Advisory Board. The SSO's most recent annual Autism Association Music4Health concert for children with autism and their families was attended by over 306 children. The SSO also works regularly with school communities through its TunED-Up!TM program, supporting primary school teachers in developing music programs in school, and mentoring young musicians through its regional Orchestral Workshop programs.

Photo Credit Daniela Testa