Music for every child: the Foskett Foundation

Just over the hill from McLaren Vale, on a winding road past Kuitpo Forest, lies Top Note – a premium cool-climate vineyard, lovingly run by Cate and Nick Foskett. With a background in opera and IT respectively, the Fosketts have always combined passion with dedication. Now, through the Foskett Foundation, their energy is being channelled into causes close to their hearts: music, children, and wellbeing. 

Their support of the ASO’s Relaxed Concert program is a natural extension of these values – combining music and community wellbeing, inclusive access, and their shared belief that “music should be a part of every child’s life.” 

“We are proud to support the ASO’s vision of accessible concerts for the whole community.” Cate and Nick say. “By supporting the ASO’s Relaxed concerts, we are helping to create opportunities for children with diverse needs to hear the power and excitement of the orchestra… and would love to build a future where every South Australian child has the opportunity for music to be an integral part of their education.” 

ASO’s Relaxed concerts are designed specifically for children and families who may find traditional concert settings overwhelming. With adjusted lighting and sound, sensory-friendly breakout spaces, and a flexible, informal environment, these concerts welcome neurodiverse audiences, children on the autism spectrum, and those with sensory or communication challenges. 

The ASO’s first Relaxed concert for 2025 was Tale of the Fire Phoenix – a magical blend of shadow puppetry, mythology, narration, and music. In September, we will also present a Relaxed performance of Settle the Score, and for the first time, we are expanding the program beyond the concert hall, taking Relaxed concert directly into specialist schools, including Suneden Specialist School and Adelaide North Special School. 

For Cate and Nick, supporting this work through the Foskett Foundation aligns perfectly with the Foundation’s focus on the arts, children and medicine – as well as with Cate’s passion for mental health and wellbeing, which she is now exploring through a Master’s degree in counselling, and recent work with Star Bear Loss and Grief Camps, supporting children who have lost a family member. 

Thanks to the generosity of the Foskett Foundation, the ASO is able to expand its reach and impact – creating musical experiences for children who might otherwise miss out, and building a more inclusive and compassionate future for South Australians through music.