The 2018 OHMI Conference & Awards

For a full list of the 2018 OHMI Competition winners, click here.

​The 2018 OHMI Conference proved to be a richly informative, often emotional, and hugely entertaining two days, showcasing great musicians, instrument makers, educationalist and others in the fields of disability and music-making. Highlights include performances by Valerie Thomforde, Neill Duncan, John Kelly and the Able Orchestra, and many illuminating talks from leading academics and instrument makers.

As best as we discover, this was the first conference anywhere in the world to deal specifically with music and physical disability. Perhaps because of that, the international representation was exceptional. Several speakers made strong references to the “social model” of disability and many disputed assumptions that disabilities of any kind necessary limit musicianship. Mixing academic research and technological developments with the experiences of teachers, disabled musicians (old and young) and the many fascinating demonstrations proved particularly successful.

With so many words and so much music over the two days, a book full of quotations would hardly be representative, but here are just four as a taster:

“No-one should define the limitations of another, rather we should adjust our world to be welcoming and potentially fulfilling for everyone, not just for the characteristics of a presumed majority” - OHMI Chairman, Dr Stephen Hetherington.

​"A person with a disability has just as much music in them as someone without a disability" - Neill Duncan

“Instruments are made for people, people should not be made to fit instruments” - Inga Petry

“Disability has nothing to do with ability at all, it’s all about opportunity and potential” - John Kelly

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