Award-winning composer Ben Lunn will work with the Autism Able Community Music Group in partnership with Summer Streets Festival and Music Arts & Culture Sunderland to create original music written specifically for Summer Streets Festival 2021. 

The collaboration will provide a unique opportunity for students learning creative skills at Autism Able to showcase their talent accompanied by professional musicians.

The partnership will culminate in a filmed performance which will premiere at Summer Streets Festival on 19th July 2021.

Growing up in Sunderland and embedded in the city’s brass band tradition, Ben went on to study at the Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama then at the Lithuanian Academy of Music and Theatre.  He has worked extensively with community groups and in arts and disability, whether at DaDaFest to produce Music for Friends with DaDaFest’s youth ensemble or with the multi-award winning Diversions concert, showcasing music by 9 disabled composers, curated in a completely accessible manner.

The Autism Able Community Music Group was formed from a Youth Music Project during the Covid-19 Pandemic. The project initially reached 10 young people by reducing their isolation and providing access to online music tutorials during lockdown. The group then grew and started meeting up in person when restrictions were lifted and currently meet every Thursday 1pm -3pm at the Custom Space Studios in South Shields.