OHMI Competition Opens for Entries!

Actress Melissa Johns presents Peter Worrell with the Playable Instrument awards for his one-handed High and Low D Whistles

Instrument makers across the globe are being invited to enter OHMI’s latest competition for one-handed instruments and enabling apparatus for people with physical disabilities.
 
The OHMI Competition challenges instrument makers, designers and technicians to create and develop musical instruments that can be played without the use of one hand and arm. An adaptation of an existing instrument or a new design that emulates a traditional instrument are both acceptable and there are three categories:

• Playable instruments - A solution for an instrument commonly found in a musical ensemble (examples are orchestras, jazz bands, folk groups, or rock groups).
• Enabling apparatus - For apparatus (straps, stands, harnesses etc.) that make a traditional instrument playable for a specified disability.
• Concepts - For the most technically promising solution(s) to the challenges. 

 
Rachel Wolffsohn, General Manager of The OHMI Trust, said:
 
“Virtually no musical instrument can be played without ten highly dextrous fingers. It means that millions of people are denied participation in musical life, including people with congenital disabilities, amputees and those who may have been injured, suffered a stroke, developed arthritis or for whatever reason lack the full strength and control of their upper limbs.”
 
“The inventions of competition winners in the past have been truly transformative and we’re inviting designers and instrument makers – whether seasoned professionals, talented hobbyists or innovative students – to enter and help drive forward progress in accessible music-making.” 
 
More information about the application process, competition rules and previous winners can be accessed at OHMI Competition.
 
The deadline for entries is Tuesday 31st December at 5pm GMT.
 
Winners will be announced at OHMI’s Conference & Awards 2025. Taking place in Birmingham on the 15th and 16th March, in collaboration with Birmingham City University and Imperial College London, the event will explore the barriers faced by people with physical disabilities to music-making, from the design and ongoing production of instruments to wide-ranging issues around performing.