OHMI News January 2018
| january_2018_newsletter.pdf |
OHMI News October 2017
| october_2017_newsletter.pdf |
OHMI News July 2017
| july_2017_newsletter.pdf |
OHMI News April 2017
| april_2017_newsletter.pdf |
OHMI News January 2017
| jan_2017_newsletter.pdf |
OHMI very much enjoyed visiting the Adaptive Music Project in June. Take a look at this video of their exciting work in the USA here.
OHMI News June 2016
| june_2016_newsletter.pdf |
Normans Musical Instruments supports OHMI
We are delighted to announce that Normans Musical Instruments have come on board to support OHMI in building up a musical loan scheme to enable musicians of all ages to try adapted instruments and stands and see if they meet their needs and interests. We are would like to thank them for their support!
OHMI News April 2016
| april_2016_newsletter.pdf |
Andy Ellis becomes the first London Marathon runner for OHMI
On 24th April 2016 Andy successfully completed the London Marathon in a time of 4 hours 22 minutes. He also managed to beat his sponsorship target and has raised over £3280 for OHMI! We went along with his friends and family to cheer him around the course. He was smiling all the way around and when he reached the end announced he wanted to do it again! It is not too late to support his efforts. To find his webpage please go to:
http://uk.virginmoneygiving.com/AndyEllis1987
We would like to thank him for all his hard work and all those who sponsored him for their generous donations and support.
http://uk.virginmoneygiving.com/AndyEllis1987
We would like to thank him for all his hard work and all those who sponsored him for their generous donations and support.
OHMI event at The House of Lords
L-R Lord Lipsey, Lord Berkeley, Cian, Martha Thompson, Emily-May Roebuck, Stephen Hetherington
On 13th January 2016 Lord Lipsey hosted an event at the House of Lords to raise awareness of the OHMI Trust's work. He and Lord Berkeley spoke to an audience of over 100, among them parliamentarians, funders, patrons, ambassadors, teachers, and supporters, explaining the importance of OHMI's objectives
The event enabled us to showcase past winners of annual OHMI competition by including performances of the Toggle-key Saxophone (played by Prof David Nabb of the University of Nebraska Kearney), the LinnStrument (played by Washington-based Jeremy Cubert), and the Aafab one-handed recorder (played by an ensemble of teachers in our Birmingham pilot teaching programme). We are grateful to all the performers for giving up so much of their time.
Among our past "Enabling" winners is an excellent trumpet stand. This was demonstrated by Cian, one of our young pupils in the Birmingham teaching pilot. Not many 10 year olds can say that they had two eminent Lords accompanying them in a performance of 'We will rock you'! Cian was then interviewed by his teacher, Naomi Stevenson, giving us a candid insight into the lives of those normally denied access to music making. Cian showed the great enjoyment he gains from playing and learning a musical instrument, poignantly highlighting the need to provide this opportunity for every child, not just the able-bodied.
We were delighted to have the support of our patron John Harle and ambassador Nicholas McCarthy. We also extend our sincere thanks to the Limoges Charitable Trust who funded the event.
The event enabled us to showcase past winners of annual OHMI competition by including performances of the Toggle-key Saxophone (played by Prof David Nabb of the University of Nebraska Kearney), the LinnStrument (played by Washington-based Jeremy Cubert), and the Aafab one-handed recorder (played by an ensemble of teachers in our Birmingham pilot teaching programme). We are grateful to all the performers for giving up so much of their time.
Among our past "Enabling" winners is an excellent trumpet stand. This was demonstrated by Cian, one of our young pupils in the Birmingham teaching pilot. Not many 10 year olds can say that they had two eminent Lords accompanying them in a performance of 'We will rock you'! Cian was then interviewed by his teacher, Naomi Stevenson, giving us a candid insight into the lives of those normally denied access to music making. Cian showed the great enjoyment he gains from playing and learning a musical instrument, poignantly highlighting the need to provide this opportunity for every child, not just the able-bodied.
We were delighted to have the support of our patron John Harle and ambassador Nicholas McCarthy. We also extend our sincere thanks to the Limoges Charitable Trust who funded the event.
OHMI News January 2016
| january_2016_newsletter.pdf |
Dame Evelyn Glennie becomes an OHMI Patron
We're delighted and very excited to announce that Dame Evelyn Glennie joins Alison Balsom and John Harle as a Patron of OHMI. Dame Glennie was quoted as saying: "OHMI are proving that disability may be no barrier to music-making at the highest level. This will benefit millions."(Photo © Caroline Purday)
OHMI launches Teaching Pilot Project in Birmingham Schools
In collaboration with our partners Services for Education, OpenUp Music, ABRSM, CBSO, HemiHelp, Reach, and Birmingham Children's Hospital 15 children with upper limb disabilities in Birmingham have now been recruited to start one to one lessons in October 2015! This is thanks to many funders, especially Arts Council England.
| ohmi_news_sept_2015.pdf |
Fast Forward Music Festival - 2-3 July 2015
The Fast Forward Music Festival is an ambitious new event spearheading Bristol Music Trust’s new ambition for accessible music making. Charles Hazlewood’s pioneering British Paraorchestra head up this momentous festival as they continue to shift perceptions of disability by giving disabled musicians a platform to perform and excel at the highest level. Click here for more information.
OHMI News June 2015
| ohmi_news_june_2015.pdf |
Libretto magazine feature - March 2015
Open Up Music - 19th February 2015
The Brighton Science Festival takes place February 2015 and we've been invited to present an event, celebrating disability, music and technical innovation.
On Thursday 19th February we'll be at Brighton Unitarian Church for 2.30pm for an afternoon of assistive music technology demonstrations with our friends at MUSE and MOOT. The event is free so please do pop by and see the fascinating instruments that are breaking down barriers to music-making.
The Brighton Science Festival takes place February 2015 and we've been invited to present an event, celebrating disability, music and technical innovation.
On Thursday 19th February we'll be at Brighton Unitarian Church for 2.30pm for an afternoon of assistive music technology demonstrations with our friends at MUSE and MOOT. The event is free so please do pop by and see the fascinating instruments that are breaking down barriers to music-making.
A musician uses an Eye Gazer instrument. Image courtesy of MUSE.
Click through for the Facebook event page
MOOT are currently fundraising for their live music programme, read more via www.localgiving.com
Click through for the Facebook event page
MOOT are currently fundraising for their live music programme, read more via www.localgiving.com
| september_2016_newsletter.pdf |
OHMI helps to fund a new music stand for Mollie
Mollie has a muscle weakness in her arms and hands that means she is unable to hold her cornet by herself. Together with Services for Education, Birmingham's music service, OHMI funded the creation of a custom made music stand for Mollie that means she can now play the cornet as much as she likes.
OHMI News January 2015
| ohmi_news_jan_2015.pdf |
Ars Electronica round up - September 2014
The OHMI team headed to Linz, Austria 4-7 September for the annual Ars Electronica festival. Ars Electronica have been a collaborator of OHMI since the very early days. Our competition sits within their prestigious Prix, where OHMI winners are recognised on an international stage for their innovations in creative technology.
Image courtesy of Ars Electronica
We hosted a stall where attendees could try out some of the electronic solutions to the challenge, including the Jamboxx. Edit van der Burg, player of Maarten Visser's one-handed flute, travelled to the event to demonstrate the instrument.
Dr Andrew McPherson of Queen Mary University, London discussed the Augmented Insturments Lab. We organised this seminar to demonstrate some of the electronic approaches to adapting traditional instruments. Watch this space for further collaborations with the Augmented Instruments Lab.
Peter Worrell and Maarten Visser collected their Playable awards at the Gala. Both have created high quality instruments for one-handed playing. Kelly Snook collected a Concept award for the Data Glove for tuba and demonstrated the instrument on stage.
Image courtesy of Ars Electronica
We hosted a stall where attendees could try out some of the electronic solutions to the challenge, including the Jamboxx. Edit van der Burg, player of Maarten Visser's one-handed flute, travelled to the event to demonstrate the instrument.
Dr Andrew McPherson of Queen Mary University, London discussed the Augmented Insturments Lab. We organised this seminar to demonstrate some of the electronic approaches to adapting traditional instruments. Watch this space for further collaborations with the Augmented Instruments Lab.
Peter Worrell and Maarten Visser collected their Playable awards at the Gala. Both have created high quality instruments for one-handed playing. Kelly Snook collected a Concept award for the Data Glove for tuba and demonstrated the instrument on stage.
Image courtesy of Maarten Visser
Ars Electronica seminar - September 2014
As well as awarding the OHMI competition winners at the Gala, we’ll be presenting a seminar at Ars Electronica festival in Linz, Austria on Friday 5th September. ‘Expressive musical instruments for greater inclusion: an introduction to the Augmented Instruments Lab’ will be led by Dr Andrew McPherson, Centre for Digital Music at Queen Mary University of London. An augmented instrument is a traditional musical instrument whose capabilities have been electronically extended. Projects developed at the lab include the Magnetic Resonator Piano, an acoustic piano whose strings are activated by electromagnets to allow the performer to continuously shape each note.
The OHMI Trust and the Augmented Instruments Lab are collaborating on a research project that investigates electronic augmentations that provide greater access to traditional instruments for the disabled.
Andrew will discuss the work of the lab, our joint research project and how a better understanding of performer/ instrument relationships will inform the design of a new generation of accessible instruments.
Expressive musical instruments for greater inclusion: an introduction to the Augmented Instruments Lab
Friday, Sept. 05, 2014, 4:00-5:00 pm
Open to all, no need to book.
Location: Akademisches Gymnasium Linz, Austria.
www.aec.at
The OHMI Trust and the Augmented Instruments Lab are collaborating on a research project that investigates electronic augmentations that provide greater access to traditional instruments for the disabled.
Andrew will discuss the work of the lab, our joint research project and how a better understanding of performer/ instrument relationships will inform the design of a new generation of accessible instruments.
Expressive musical instruments for greater inclusion: an introduction to the Augmented Instruments Lab
Friday, Sept. 05, 2014, 4:00-5:00 pm
Open to all, no need to book.
Location: Akademisches Gymnasium Linz, Austria.
www.aec.at
OHMI at the House of Lords - July 2014
OHMI worked with Lord Lipsey, chair of the All-party Classical Music group to present a debate at the House of Lords. On Wednesday 30th July, speakers asked the government how it intends to fulfil its own policy for musical education with respect to those who are disabled. The government’s National Plan for Music Education states that every child should have the opportunity to learn an instrument and progress to musical excellence. The government are failing to deliver on their aim for all children, as those who are disabled are largely excluded from playing musical instruments.
The debate was covered by Radio 4's Today programme, and Radio 3's In Tune.
Listen to the Today programme with OHMI ambassador Nicholas McCarthy and Lord Lipsey
Listen to In Tune with OHMI founder Stephen Hetherington and Lord Lipsey
You can also read a transcript of the debate, including the government's response here.
BBC Ouch! released an interview with OHMI ambassador Felix Klieser, where Felix discussed his technique for playing the French Horn with no arms. Read the full interview.
The debate was covered by Radio 4's Today programme, and Radio 3's In Tune.
Listen to the Today programme with OHMI ambassador Nicholas McCarthy and Lord Lipsey
Listen to In Tune with OHMI founder Stephen Hetherington and Lord Lipsey
You can also read a transcript of the debate, including the government's response here.
BBC Ouch! released an interview with OHMI ambassador Felix Klieser, where Felix discussed his technique for playing the French Horn with no arms. Read the full interview.
OHMI Ambassadors - July 2014
We are delighted to welcome German horn player Felix Klieser, and British pianist Nicholas McCarthy as OHMI Trust Ambassadors. Both musicians have demonstrated extraordinary musicianship, skill and determination to become professional musicians despite their disabilities. The standard of their playing demonstrates that music-making possibilities can be limitless, given the right support. Felix and Nicholas will promote the charity’s work to their audiences. In turn, OHMI will use the great example they set to highlight the need for more music-making opportunities for the disabled.
We had a fantastic Bank Holiday Sunday last week in Brighton for MOOT's concert with pianist Nicholas McCarthy. The event was part of Brighton Fringe and acted as a fundraiser for The OHMI Trust.
Nicholas is a one handed pianist and member of the British Paraorchestra. The event paid tribute to soldier musicians irreparably injured during the First World War. Nicholas McCarthy will performed improvisations for left hand by Brighton born composer Frank Bridge and transcriptions of music by Liszt, Schubert and Chopin.
Nicholas is a one handed pianist and member of the British Paraorchestra. The event paid tribute to soldier musicians irreparably injured during the First World War. Nicholas McCarthy will performed improvisations for left hand by Brighton born composer Frank Bridge and transcriptions of music by Liszt, Schubert and Chopin.
2014 Judging Panel
We're delighted to have received a range of exciting entries into this year's competition and are looking forward to sharing them with our judges on Thursday 22nd May.
The judges will be looking for instruments that have been successfully created or adapted for one-handed use.
Our judges this year:
John Harle: One of the world’s leading saxophonists. With over half a million record sales, he has popularised the classical saxophone, bringing it to the forefront of the public's imagination, whilst inspiring a wealth of new works for the instrument from composers of international recognition. As a composer, his work spans opera, choral, symphonic and chamber music.
Doug Bott: A freelance musician and arts manager specialising in accessible music making for SEN/disabled people. A Drake Music associate since 2000, he has delivered training and consultancy on SEND music for a number of organisations and co-directs the MUSE project.
Andrew McPherson: Lecturer in Digital Media at Queen Mary, University of London, where he is part of the Centre for Digital Music (C4DM) in the School of Electronic Engineering and Computer Science. He is active as a composer and researcher in augmented instruments, new performance interfaces and expressive performance modeling.
Nigel Scaife: Syllabus Director at ABRSM, the exam board of the Royal Schools of Music. ABRSM supports music-making and education around the world.
The judges will be looking for instruments that have been successfully created or adapted for one-handed use.
Our judges this year:
John Harle: One of the world’s leading saxophonists. With over half a million record sales, he has popularised the classical saxophone, bringing it to the forefront of the public's imagination, whilst inspiring a wealth of new works for the instrument from composers of international recognition. As a composer, his work spans opera, choral, symphonic and chamber music.
Doug Bott: A freelance musician and arts manager specialising in accessible music making for SEN/disabled people. A Drake Music associate since 2000, he has delivered training and consultancy on SEND music for a number of organisations and co-directs the MUSE project.
Andrew McPherson: Lecturer in Digital Media at Queen Mary, University of London, where he is part of the Centre for Digital Music (C4DM) in the School of Electronic Engineering and Computer Science. He is active as a composer and researcher in augmented instruments, new performance interfaces and expressive performance modeling.
Nigel Scaife: Syllabus Director at ABRSM, the exam board of the Royal Schools of Music. ABRSM supports music-making and education around the world.
New Competition Category: Enabling
In our talks with various musicians and instrument makers, we have discovered the crucial role supportive apparatus can play in a disabled musician’s life, so this year we’ve created a new category to acknowledge this. Entries in the Enabling category might be straps, braces, stands, any piece of apparatus that assists disabled players to play a traditional instrument. Email your ideas for Enabling apparatus to sarah(at)ohmi.org.uk
Felix Klieser - a singular musician
We were honoured to meet with Felix Klieser, a quite singular musician. Meeting a talented young French Horn player is exciting enough, but add to that the unstoppable determination of Felix, and it was a truly memorable occasion. Felix plays to a very high standard, despite being born with no arms. He plays a traditional instrument solely with the use of his feet. We very impressed by the stand Felix uses, proving what can be achieved given the right tools. If you have an idea for an instrument adaption or a stand that allows those with mobility issues to access music making, you can enter it into our OHMI-Ars Electronica competition.
Empty Sleeve - music for left hand at Brighton Fringe
Sunday 25th May 2014
Our friends at MOOT are producing a special concert at this year's Brighton Fringe featuring pianist Nicholas McCarthy. The OHMI Trust will be there, to talk about the charity's aims and ambitions.
Nicholas is a one handed pianist and member of the British Paraorchestra. The event pays tribute to solider musicians irreparably injured during the First World War. Nicholas McCarthy will perform three improvisations for left hand by Brighton born composer Frank Bridge and transcriptions of music by Bach, Schubert and Wagner, plus Chopin's Military Polonaise & Ballade No 1.
Sunday 25th May
St Nicholas Church, Dyke Road, Brighton
£10 / £5 Facebook event page
Our friends at MOOT are producing a special concert at this year's Brighton Fringe featuring pianist Nicholas McCarthy. The OHMI Trust will be there, to talk about the charity's aims and ambitions.
Nicholas is a one handed pianist and member of the British Paraorchestra. The event pays tribute to solider musicians irreparably injured during the First World War. Nicholas McCarthy will perform three improvisations for left hand by Brighton born composer Frank Bridge and transcriptions of music by Bach, Schubert and Wagner, plus Chopin's Military Polonaise & Ballade No 1.
Sunday 25th May
St Nicholas Church, Dyke Road, Brighton
£10 / £5 Facebook event page
Alison Balsom becomes patron of the OHMI Trust
We are delighted and honoured to welcome Alison Balsom, world renowned trumpet soloist and ‘Artist of the Year’ at the Gramophone Classical Music Awards 2013, as our patron. A spectacular artist, Alison has committed to helping us work towards inclusion in music making for the disabled. Alison also sits on the judging panel of the OHMI-Ars Electronica competition.
The Monument Trust supports OHMI
The Monument Trust, one of the Sainsbury family charitable trusts, has granted funds to OHMI sufficient to support administrative and competition costs for the next two years. As a result, we have appointed our first full-time Administrator. This will extend and speed our work considerably, allowing us to build on the successes of the last two years since the Trust was formed.
The OHMI-Ars Electronica Seminar - Sunday 2nd September 2013
True Musical Instruments and Disability - Technical Challenges & Possibilities.
Featuring:
Featuring:
- Stephen Hetherington (OHMI - UK)
- Doug Bott (Drake Music - UK)
- Ruud van der Wel and Christian Gouweleeuw (MyBreathMyMusic Foundation - NL)
- Markus Fischer (Fischerfilm - AT) and Michael Platz (Ars Electronica Futurelab - AT)
- Peter Purgathofer (TU Wien - AT)
