Frequently Asked Questions

A form of music where the musicians play sounds in a free-form manner to create an immediate ("in the moment") musical composition. It combines performance with communication of emotions and instrumental technique, as well as spontaneous response to other musicians — and in this case, responding to the audience's reactions.

We can perform for people living with different disabilities, be it physical, intellectual or neurological. Families will be contacted to discuss scheduling and duration of the performance, the musical personnel involved, and any information about the condition/disability and care/treatment we need to know. There will be ample opportunity to discuss any concerns and ensure all involved are well informed.

We outreach to you. Performances take place in the family home, ensuring the person impacted by their disability is comfortable, safe, has access to usual care, and can share the experience with family members and carers.

Depending on the family and the individualised needs of the person, each performance typically lasts one hour. This gives plenty of opportunity for feeding, rest time or other treatment needs, as well as investigating and refining the types of sounds and techniques that the audience enjoys most.

Yes! We encourage family members and carers to not only listen to the performance but to take part in it too. Our sessions include time dedicated to assisting family members to play music and sound art for/with their loved one impacted by a disability. A family member or carer must always be present to supervise and provide necessary treatment to the person.

Each artist performing can quickly interpret the best kinds of sounds to play depending on the audience's reactions, drawing on their decades of experience in the field of sound art.

Performances are followed by a debrief session with parents and carers, identifying successes, areas for improvement or further exploration, and answering any questions they may have for developing a regular musical practice with their loved one.

Robbie Avenaim is the principal performer and founder of Safe in Sound. He specialises in percussion and sound effects. He will be joined by various experienced sound artists in Melbourne and Sydney, to be confirmed on a case-by-case basis. More information about these artists is available on the Artists page.

Yes. We understand that some conditions require frequent or constant treatment and care, whilst others are more intermittent or responsive. For this reason, our concerts are very relaxed and we ask that any care required be administered as usual. We are happy to stop or keep going with the performance as per the wishes of caregivers or the person being treated.

We have taken all the necessary steps to protect audience and household members and artists during our performances. This includes sanitising of hands and surfaces, and mask wearing while indoors as required by each state. Artists will not attend performances if unwell or if they are deemed a close contact of a confirmed or suspected positive case of COVID-19. We are open to and will accommodate any other safety measures as requested by families and carers.