Longmont Symphony and “The Gentle Nutcracker”

In Friday’s (12/6) Daily Camera (Boulder, Colorado), Matthew Bennett writes, “Longmont resident Erica Morales’ 15-year-old daughter, Arleth Salinas, loves music, dancing and even took ballet lessons. However, when Morales took Salinas, who has Down syndrome, to a traditional performance of The Nutcracker many years ago, the darkness of the theater and other sensory aspects of the show were difficult for her daughter to handle…. The Longmont Symphony Orchestra and the Boulder Ballet will put on a sensory-friendly, abridged version of The Nutcracker for individuals with special needs like Salinas and their families this holiday season. Longmont Symphony Orchestra music director and conductor Elliot Moore said the house lights remain on during The Gentle Nutcracker to allow attendees to see their surroundings. Moore also asks the percussionists to play a little softer and two battle scenes are removed from the performance…. Some of the auditorium’s available seats are not sold to ensure there is room for people to move around, if necessary…. Longmont Symphony Orchestra president Tim O’Neill said the symphony orchestra was ahead of the curve in providing a sensory-friendly version of the classic ballet. He said it had received tremendous support from the local community in putting it on over the years.”