Rewriting the Score, an inclusive music project in regional NSW, has attracted participation from a range of musicians from across Australia with personal experience of disability. The national residency program hosted by Orange Regional Conservatorium, in partnership with Accessible Arts will commence this month.
Accessible Arts presented Disability Access & Awareness training at the NSW Regional Conservatorium Events Conference held in Bathurst on 23 November 2010.
Lismore based music making collective Tra La La Blip brought a regional presence to the Powerhouse Museum in Sydney this month.
Thirteen-year-old Charitha McMahon has a passion for classical music and recently attended a Sydney Symphony Orchestra rehearsal, his first ever experience of a live classical music performance.News
Music forum brings key players together
Accessible Arts presented a well-attended music forum in April at the Sydney Opera House, which identified strategies to broaden accessible music pathways for young people with disability.
Over 30 musicians, artistic directors, program managers, music teachers and disability service coordinators participated in the Accessible Music Pathways Forum at the Utzon Room, Sydney Opera House on 23 April 2010.
Richard Gill OAM, Musical Director of Victorian Opera addressed the forum, emphasizing the intrinsic and extrinsic benefits of music for the enriched learning of all young people.
He said “It is the right of every child to have access to specialised music teachers throughout their education.”
Pat Rix, Artistic Director of the Tutti Ensemble from South Australia, also presented at the forum. She spoke about the creative potential as well as the equity issues of inclusive practice, outlining the artistic achievements of individuals she has worked with. In 2009, the Tutti Ensemble, a recognised leader in disability culture, performed a variety of shows to audiences of over 27,000.
Representatives from the University of NSW, TAFE NSW, Australian Youth Music Council, Music NSW, Opera Australia, Australia Council for the Arts and Arts NSW attended the forum. A number of musicians with disabilities also attended, giving first hand experience and insight into what needs to happen for an inclusive musical future for young people with disability.
Becky Chapman, Arts Development, Accessible Arts said, “The forum showed that there is a keen interest from key players in making music more accessible and in turn enriching the Australian musical landscape. Organisations and individuals at the forum were clearly inspired to build the foundations of a new network of agents for change in music education.”
Singer/songwriter, Krystel Keller expressed her appreciation for the forum saying, “I've learnt a lot and it was a great opportunity to get some of the challenges facing music artists and students with disabilities out there. Music and disability is a complex subject. Good on Accessible Arts for doing their bit to make a difference.”
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