The Amazing Impact of Classical Music on an Autistic Boy at Symphony Hall

In a heartwarming moment during a Handel & Haydn Society concert at Boston’s Symphony Hall in May 2019, a 9-year-old boy with autism and non-verbal communication skills shouted ‘wow!’ at the end of Mozart’s Masonic Funeral Music. The emotional response from the boy, named Ronan, caught the attention of H&H president David Snead, who was moved by the power of music to connect with individuals on a profound level. It was revealed that Mozart’s music was able to break through Ronan’s communication barriers and leave a lasting impact. This extraordinary event led to the creation of a book that tells the inspiring story of how classical music touched the life of a young boy in an unexpected way. The power of music to transcend boundaries and reach the hearts of individuals, regardless of their unique challenges, is a testament to the universal language of classical music.