Celebrating the Spectrum: A Festival of Music and Life gives qualified advanced pre-college students on the Autism Spectrum a preview of a life in music.

The student’s daily schedule reflects the life of a music major in a university or conservatory setting. The week includes two live performances, a “house concert” which gives the students an intimate setting to try out their performances prior to the Grand Finale Concert in Cook Recital Hall.

All students perform daily in master classes conducted by College of Music piano faculty, professors Deborah Moriarty and Derek Polischuk. Classes are devoted to solo repertoire as well as piano four hand repertoire.

2024 Celebrating the Spectrum Dates

• July 21, Sunday, Student Welcome and Arrival
• July 22, Monday, 6:00 p.m. Mentor Concert, featuring performances by program assistants. Cook Recital Hall, free.
• July 27, Saturday, 4:00 p.m. Public Concert, Cook Recital Hall, free.

“I have every confidence that my child would succeed, and that is a result of the involvement in this program. My child stepped up to the plate and was confident and mature. Although other subjects might be more of a challenge, academic work load, class size and professor personalities may be challenging as well, I feel the exposure to the college environment helps to know what to expect in the future and reduces the anxiety level, which helps at being successful. The more familiar the student is with the situation, the better it will go for them. Transitions, with Autism, are usually difficult, so this is a great help!”
– Parent of participant

Celebrating the Spectrum: A Festival of Music and Life is sponsored by…

Merritt Lutz in celebration of the life of Candy Lutz
Glen Brough and April Clobes
Lauren Harris
Anne Hiller
MSU Federal Credit Union
TechSmith

Special thanks to Dean Transportation for generously providing all transportation needs for festival participants.

Private Support

Private support helps provide dollars to sponsor each student participant, enabling them to attend the festival tuition-free. Funds also cover stipends for College of Music student mentors who buddy-up with the festival participants. To make a contribution to support this unique and powerful music festival, see our Celebrating the Spectrum giving page.

MSU ASD Resources

Resource Center for Persons with Disabilities

Rehabilitation Counseling, MSU College of Education

Special Education, MSU College of Education