Since 2007, Open Up Music has supported the musical development of thousands of young musicians who have found themselves marginalised by ‘mainstream’ musical provision.
Through our innovative, award-winning programmes we work alongside young disabled musicians to tackle inequality, create new instruments and inspire new music for the 21st century.
Our programmes are delivered in partnership with schools, Music Education Hubs and some of the UK’s leading arts and cultural organisations.
Together, we challenge the barriers experienced by young disabled musicians to create a world where musical progression and live ensemble music-making is open to everyone.
Young disabled people are for the most part excluded from ensemble music-making: in schools, among orchestral players, composers, staff teams and audiences. Since 2007, our award-winning programmes have created new opportunities for them to be musicians, making their own music, not just listening to the music of others:
Open Orchestras helps special schools set up accessible orchestras, so that hundreds of young disabled people get first access to music education every year.
The National Open Youth Orchestra (NOYO) is the world’s first disabled-led national youth orchestra. It pioneers an inclusive orchestra model where talented 11-25 year-old disabled and non-disabled musicians rehearse and perform together.
We’ve also developed the Clarion. Available on iPad and PC, it’s an innovative accessible instrument that can be played expressively with any part of the body, including eye movement. We currently offer it through our programmes.
