We've had a really great successful summer over at OHMI HQ, including a successful competition with a number of high quality adapted instruments, the launch of our online resource pages, welcoming Nicholas McCarthy and Felix Klieser as ambassadors and a debate at the House of Lords.
OHMI at the House of Lords
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.
Peers spoke passionately about how vital it is that everyone has the opportunity to learn an instrument. The debate has played an important role in raising awareness of the obstacles to music-making faced by the disabled.
The debate was covered by Radio 4's Today programme, and Radio 3's In Tune, featuring interviews with one-handed pianist Nicholas McCarthy, Lord Lipsey and OHMI founder Stephen Hetherington. Visit our website to hear the interviews, you can also read a transcript of the debate, including the government's response.
Seminar at Ars Electronica festival in Linz
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 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
One-armed fiddler
We recently came across this video of one-armed fiddle player Luther Caldwell. Luther lost his arm in a farming accident. His son created a mechanism that controls the bow, and it seems to work really well. WATCH A VIDEO OF LUTHER VIA YOUTUBE. Does anyone know anything more about Luther and his one-handed fiddle?
We're looking forward to attending Ars Electronica in Linz, Austria in September to award our OHMI competition winners at the annual gala. Watch this space for photos and more news.
