SA Power Networks is thrilled to be a long-term partner of Adelaide Symphony Orchestra's (ASO) Learning Program.

The ASO’s Learning Program offers accessible music education to kids of all abilities in South Australia, leaving a lasting impression on everyone involved.

This year, the Learning Program united ASO musicians with composer and music teacher Paul Rissmann, and Adelaide-born violinist Belinda McFarlane from the London Symphony Orchestra. They worked with students and teachers from Kilparrin Teaching and Assessment School and Services and South Australian School & Services for Vision Impaired. 

Together, they spent a week in workshops, reimagining the story of Stan and Mabel, written by Jason Chapman and narrated through music by Paul Rissmann. This tale is about a dog and a cat who travel to Italy to form the world's best orchestra. With the ASO musicians guiding them and specially adapted instruments, the kids' ideas were turned into an entirely new musical version of the story. 

As Rissmann explains, "everyone is welcome, everyone can participate, and we will find a way for everyone to have as much fun as they can." This program provides children with sensory disabilities an entirely new way to learn about music and helps build confidence they can take with them as they continue their schooling. 

The workshops wrapped up with a performance at Brighton Concert Hall. This was a heartwarming and interactive experience for the audience, and an empowering adventure for the students, teachers and ASO.

McFarlane sums it up when she states, “music is about connection, and this is the most wonderful way to connect.”

Watch this video below to see how the performance came together through the workshops and how the students brought Stan and Mabel to life in a new and wonderful way.