[Smt-talk] Opportunities for autistic musician?

[A.Ockelford at roehampton.ac.uk]

Hi there

The boy in question on CBS is Rex Lewis-Clack - a musical 'savant' (ie, someone who has exceptional abilities in the context of disabilities). His mother has written a book about him (simply called 'Rex'). I teach the savant pianist here in the UK who also appeared in the programme - Derek Paravicini - another 60 Minutes segment is about to appear on him. His biography is also available, entitled 'In the Key of Genius'), and his website is www.derekparavicini.net

The issue with Rex and Derek is that, in addition to being autistic, they both have learning disabilities - severe learning disabilities in Derek's case - and in many respects they function quite differently from people with Asperger's. Very interesting musically, nonetheless - and a challenge for teachers!



Adam Ockelford PhD ARAM
Professor of Music
Rm 110 Queens Building
Southlands College
Roehampton University
Roehampton Lane
London SW15 5SL

07818-456 472

a.ockelford at roehampton.ac.uk


________________________________________
From: smt-talk-bounces at societymusictheory.org [smt-talk-bounces at societymusictheory.org] On Behalf Of Fieldman, Hali [FieldmanH at umkc.edu]
Sent: Friday, January 08, 2010 8:24 PM
To: djwolf at snafu.de; smt-talk at societymusictheory.org
Subject: Re: [Smt-talk] Opportunities for autistic musician?

CBS's news program 60 Minutes has also followed an autistic child (he is now a young man, I believe) over quite a few years; if I recall, he may also be blind.  He is incredibly gifted on the piano, however.  Whether or not there are useful parallels between him and the student Karen asked about is something probably only she and any informed helpers can decide.

Hali Fieldman, Ph.D.
Associate Professor of Music Theory
Conservatory of Music and Dance
University of Missouri -- Kansas City


-----Original Message-----
From: smt-talk-bounces at societymusictheory.org on behalf of Daniel Wolf
Sent: Fri 08-Jan-10 12:37 PM
To: smt-talk at societymusictheory.org
Subject: Re: [Smt-talk] Opportunities for autistic musician?

Marco Melanson, a self-taught composer from New Brunswick, with an autism
spectrum disorder, has his own web page here:

http://www3.nbnet.nb.ca/m2esectr/marco.htm

The midi files may require some patience to listen to, but they do show,
chronologically, a gradual deepening of Mr Melanson's musical range with
his steady assimilation of more repertoire.  While the initial efforts are
largely borrowed in bits and pieces from the music he heard (mostly
Viennese classical music, Quebecois girl-singer pop, and later, Boy
Bands), with very rudimentary technique and only modest development, I
believe that one can hear a gradual emergence of a distinct compositional
voice.  I am certain that Mr Melanson, who is rather isolated in New
Brunswick, would enjoy corresponding with anyone interested in his work or
the topic of this thread.

Daniel Wolf
composer
Frankfurt



_______________________________________________
Smt-talk mailing list
Smt-talk at societymusictheory.org
http://lists.societymusictheory.org/listinfo.cgi/smt-talk-societymusictheory.org

_______________________________________________
Smt-talk mailing list
Smt-talk at societymusictheory.org
http://lists.societymusictheory.org/listinfo.cgi/smt-talk-societymusictheory.org

Consider the environment. Please don't print this e-mail unless you really need to.

This email and any attachments are confidential and intended solely for the addressee and may also be privileged or exempt from disclosure under applicable law. If you are not the addressee, or have received this e-mail in error, please notify the sender immediately, delete it from your system and do not copy, disclose or otherwise act upon any part of this email or its attachments.

Internet communications are not guaranteed to be secure or virus-free. Roehampton University does not accept responsibility for any loss arising from unauthorised access to, or interference with, any Internet communications by any third party, or from the transmission of any viruses.

Any opinion or other information in this e-mail or its attachments that does not relate to the business of Roehampton University is personal to the sender and is not given or endorsed by Roehampton University.

Roehampton University is a company limited by guarantee incorporated in England under number 5161359. Registered Office: Grove House, Roehampton Lane, London SW15 5PJ. An exempt charity.