At Merit School of Music, we believe that everyone deserves the opportunity to experience the joy of live music. In 2023, we launched our sensory-friendly concert series to create a space where audience members of all ages and abilities can engage with music in ways that feel comfortable, accessible, and fun.
This fall, we’re excited to continue this tradition with Trick or Tunes, our free, Halloween-themed sensory-friendly concert featuring Merit’s Wind Symphony. Designed with flexibility and inclusion in mind, Trick or Tunes welcomes families, young children, neurodivergent individuals, and all community members to enjoy live music in a supportive environment. Guests are encouraged to come dressed in their favorite Halloween costumes and join in the festive fun!
Learn more about the origin of Merit’s sensory-friendly concerts →
What Makes a Concert Sensory Friendly?
Live music offers a unique and powerful experience that recordings simply can’t replicate. However, traditional concert settings often present unseen difficulties for individuals with sensory processing challenges or those who need a more flexible environment. Sensory-friendly concerts are designed to remove some of those barriers while maintaining the excitement and energy of a live performance—a
At Trick or Tunes, audience members are encouraged to engage with the music in whatever way feels best for them. Guests can move around, dance, clap, make noise, take breaks, or simply listen and enjoy. There is no expectation to remain seated or silent throughout the performance.
To further support our audience members’ needs, Merit provides an assortment of sensory supports including headphones, earplugs, and fidget toys. A designated quiet room outside the performance hall is available for anyone who would like to take a break. We also have an ASL interpreter onstage during the concert.
By creating this welcoming and flexible space, Merit continues its commitment to ensuring that everyone can feel a sense of belonging through music while celebrating the varied ways that our community experiences and engages with the world around them.
Helping Families Prepare: Our Social Story
To help families prepare for the concert experience, we’ve created a Social Story that you can review before attending. A Social Story is a short, simple, and reassuring accessibility tool that helps individuals understand and prepare for a specific situation or experience, reducing uncertainty and building confidence ahead of time.
The Social Story will help families prepare for the concert experience by introducing the venue, explaining how audience members may participate, outlining available supports, and providing a preview of the music they’ll hear during the performance. This year’s program features a festive mix of spooky classics and familiar favorites, including Bach’s iconic Toccata and Fugue in D Minor and selections from The Nightmare Before Christmas. Check out the Social Story for the complete repertoire list and a step-by-step guide to what attendees can expect.
At Merit, music is for everyone. Through sensory-friendly performances like Trick or Tunes, we’re creating opportunities for children, families, and community members of all abilities to experience the excitement of live music in a space where they are supported and celebrated. Whether you arrive in costume or come as you are, you’ll find a welcoming environment where everyone can enjoy the music in their own way. We hope you’ll join us on October 28 at 10:30am for a morning of spooky sounds, Halloween fun, and music made for everybody to enjoy!
Join Us At Trick or Tunes!
Join us at Trick or Tunes on October 28, 2026 at 10:30am. Costumes are welcome!
