Classical composer Ludwig van Beethoven and singer-songwriter Stevie Wonder are among those being celebrated for their talents and overcoming their disabilities at Unlimited Sound, a free concert set for Feb. 2 at Temple Ohav Shalom in Allison Park.
The event from 2 to 3 p.m. is part of the Azure Family Concerts of Pittsburgh series, a program of Autism-Pittsburgh.
“Unlimited Sound will be educational, celebrational, interactive and fun,” said Anitra Birnbaum, executive director of Azure.
The event will be 45 minutes of music divided into three segments: Classical Joy, Mid-Century Funk and Modern Stage and Screen.
“Audience members will be encouraged to sing and dance along with the music, or express themselves in any way that feels comfortable and natural, as well as participate in making the music themselves. At every Azure concert, all behaviors are welcome … and the atmosphere is completely nonjudgmental,” Birnbaum said.
Performed by local musicians and music educators, this concert will contain famous pieces such as Beethoven’s “Ode to Joy” and Wonder’s “Signed, Sealed, Delivered.”
Beethoven and Wonder, both child prodigies, did not let their disabilities limit their creativity.
Beethoven began to lose his hearing in his mid-20s and was completely deaf by the time he was 44, but he still managed to compose dozens of works in his lifetime. Wonder, who signed with a Motown label when he was 11, became blind shortly after birth. In 1963, at 13, his “Fingertips” single became a No. 1 hit on the Billboard Hot 100 list, making him the youngest solo artist to top the chart.
Songs from musical theater and the movies made famous by disabled artists also will be featured, Birnbaum said.
Also being celebrated is performer Marissa Bode, the first wheelchair-user to depict the role of Nessarose in the movie adaptation of “Wicked,” and performer Ali Stroker, the first wheelchair-user to win a Tony Award — she won best featured actress in a musical for her “Oklahoma!” performance in 2019.
Birnbaum’s son, Aaron, who is autistic and inspired her to start Azure, will play his saxophone for one piece.
Aaron, 16, a sophomore at North Allegheny Intermediate High School, plays alto saxophone in the symphonic band.
The concert also will celebrate Jewish Disability Awareness, Acceptance and Inclusion Month.
JDAIM was established in 2009 and has been observed every February since then as a unified effort among Jewish organizations worldwide to raise awareness and foster acceptance and inclusion of people with disabilities, Birnbaum said.
“It’s important to have reminders like this to recognize and celebrate diversity in our communit — to stop and think about how we can improve advocacy for people of all abilities throughout the year. JDAIM and Azure share the mission to ensure that everyone has the opportunity to participate fully in life. It’s about bringing all people together,” said Birnbaum of Franklin Park.
She and her family joined Temple Ohav Shalom when they moved here from Baltimore in 2020.
As with every Azure concert, there’s a quiet room, noise-cancellation headphones and fidget toys for use during the concert. It also concludes with an instrument petting zoo. The concert is for all ages and open to the public. Everyone is invited, Birnbaum said.
To reserve free tickets, visit autismpittsburgh.org/azureevents.
For more information about Jewish Disability Awareness, Acceptance and Inclusion Month, visit respectability.org/JDAIM.
