Vision impaired musicians to perform with Perth Symphony Orchestra

It’s one of Australia’s largest free community festivals and this year the VisAbility band made up of vision impaired musicians will be part of it.

Grand Delusions are headlining Coogee Live 2023 (link opens in new window) performing alongside a string ensemble from Perth Symphony Orchestra. We couldn’t be prouder of this achievement. Certainly, it’s the most prestigious performance to date for the band. It’s being dubbed ‘A truly powerful music experience to fill the soul’.

In addition, it’s an opportunity to showcase the talents of our musicians who have low or no vision or an acquired brain injury to a wider audience.

It’s a prestigious honour to receive an invitation to play alongside the cream of talent – some of Australia’s greatest professional musicians.

Grand moment for Grand Delusions

Grand Delusions was established in 2015 with just four musicians. Since then the group has grown to a dozen. They gather on a Tuesday lunchtime for rehearsals in the Perron Place Theatrette.

The founder of the group is VisAbility Assistive Technology Officer Manny Lee. After losing his sight due to a degenerative eye disease in his twenties, music became integral to his healing process.

“Music has been my saviour. Since I lost my vision, my hearing is sharper, so music is clearer and I can pick up the clarity of pieces, the chords are crisper as well.”

“It’s a great honour for our vision impaired musicians to perform and to give back to the community. We are rehearsing hard practising our chords and harmonies because we want to show people with disability that anything is possible. There is light at the end of the tunnel,” he adds.

Perth Symphony Orchestra collaboration

Perth Symphony Orchestra was founded in 2011. Its repertoire is wide and varied performing music from Mozart to Metallica, Björk to Beethoven and everything in between.

Group of string musicians on instruments on stage — String players will be performing alongside Grand Delusions

Music is such a powerful force because it can bring about a range of emotions and motivate and inspire people. Our musicians prove that you can do anything if you have belief in yourself.

Vision impaired group of musicians sit in a gardened area with their instruments — Grand Delusions are excited to be part of the event

Experience Grand Delusions at Coogee Live

Coogee Live with an ensemble from Perth Symphony Orchestra (PSO) will appear on the Community Stage in the LiveLighter Hub during the evening of Saturday 11th March.

City of Cockburn Events and Culture Manager Marie La Frenais said Coogee Live was a true community event because it’s accessible to all people. The two-day event highlights a range of culturally diverse activities and has the support of many local businesses.

This year, there’s more than a hundred attractions for people to enjoy along the coast between Coogee Beach Reserve and Omeo Park in Port Coogee.

Admission is free, so why not come and enjoy the performance? No need to book in advance. Grand Delusions will perform with PSO on Saturday evening.

Details: 11 March 2023
Time: 7:40pm – 8:40pm
Where: Community Stage, Coogee Beach Reserve.

More information on the dedicated Grand Delusions (link opens in new window) page on the Coogee Live website.

VisAbility offers various Group Programs for people living with no or low vision. They take place throughout the year, so why not find out what’s available and sign up and join one today?

There are also a number of low vision support groups within Perth and across the state, which can connect you with like-minded people to build friendships and offer support.