Music is probably the most instinctive and accessible art form with its ability to resonate through our body and directly impact the soul, providing a sense of freedom and belonging. So when our client, leading Tech for Good investor Nominet Trust – who fund awe-inspiring projects to improve lives and communities through digital technologies – connected us to the Open up Music project, we immediately felt we were part of something special.<\/p>\n
And indeed, this work led to the UK\u2019s first disabled-led regional youth orchestra, the South-West Open Youth Orchestra, performing at Bristol\u2019s Colston Hall on Friday 3 June as part of BBC\u2019s Music Day. Listen to their incredible performance her<\/a>e.<\/p>\n The South-West Open Youth Orchestra is the first of its kind, working with young disabled musicians who play a range of instruments, including a custom made digital instrument called Clarion that can be controlled simply by the movement of a musician’s eyes – developed with funding from Nominet Trust and the National Foundation for Youth Music.<\/p>\n Barry Farrimond, CEO for OpenUp Music, has created many of the instruments used by the orchestra. \u201cThis orchestra is showing that anyone with the drive and determination to succeed in music can do so if given the right support and training – we are really hoping to encourage more young disabled musicians to join. Our team works with each musician to find or create a musical instrument that is right for them. These instruments often use sophisticated infrared cameras to convert facial movements, including minute movements of the head or eyes, into expressive musical notes.\u201d<\/p>\n Anyone interested in auditioning for the Orchestra can get more information at www.openupmusic.org\/swoyo<\/a> or email OpenUp Music direct on info@openupmusic.org<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n <\/p>\n