The important role music plays in the lives of people with autism will be highlighted in a music concert this Saturday in aid of a 22-year-old from Falmouth.
Daniel Willoughby, who suffers with serious Asperger’s, a type of autism, needs to raise £2,000 as he has lost the funding for his music therapy since leaving college.
The concert will take place at 7.30pm this Saturday (September 20), at Emmanuel Baptist Church on Western Terrace, and will raise funds for Daniel to continue with another year of music therapy.
It will feature a performance from local singer and songwriter Sky Mckeay and a piano recital from Robin Bates, Daniel’s music therapist.
Daniel’s older brother David, 25, is a member of the Falmouth Vocal Choir and will be singing a solo of selected gospel music, as well as co-presenting with Stephen Willoughby, Daniel’s father.
Parents Stephen and Jennifer said that Daniel’s music therapy was important for his development, adding that his weekly sessions calmed him down and made him much happier.
He has been learning the keyboard and piano with music tutor Robin Bates for two years and can now play with both hands and respond to changes in key.
Mum Jennifer said: “Music is the key for a lot of autistic children, not just our family. It opens them up to a new communication.”
Entry to the concert will be £5, and all proceeds will go towards Daniel’s music therapy.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here