PLAY WITH PARAORCHESTRA IS A NEW OPPORTUNITY FOR YOUNG DISABLED MUSICIANS TO EXPERIENCE PLAYING ON A PARAORCHESTRA PROJECT.

Deadline for this opportunity is 10am Monday 1st July 2024.

Over the course of a two day workshop in autumn 2024 a small group of young disabled musicians, accompanied by a parent, guardian or carer, will explore a range of musical styles, with a blend of acoustic and electronic sound worlds, working alongside professional Paraorchestra musicians. 

Play with Paraorchestra is a creatively ambitious project for young disabled musicians. It offers the same ambitious, collaborative, person-centred way of working as on all Paraorchestra shows, this time for young disabled musicians considering music as a future career. 

WHAT WE’RE LOOKING FOR

In this first iteration of Play with Paraorchestra we are looking to work with six young disabled musicians aged 12 – 17 years old who identify as D/deaf, disabled or neurodivergent and want to experience playing with Paraorchestra.

We’re looking for young musicians who can thrive working in a collaborative environment and can demonstrate a creative spark, a passion and commitment to playing live music. 

Young disabled musicians applying for this opportunity should be playing at a Grade 5 standard (or equivalent) in relation to musical ability, theoretical understanding, and technical capability.

Participants do not need to have achieved a formal Grade 5 qualifications to apply for Play with Paraorchestra, but we are using the Grade 5 level of musicianship as a guide for young musicians to emphasise the level of musical skill we are looking for from the participants taking part in this project.   

In order to apply, applicants must:

• Be aged 12 -17  years old
• Identify as D/deaf or disabled or neurodivergent
• Be able to perform music equivalent to Grade 5 standard or above.
• Be a resident in the UK
• Be able to provide a reference form a music teacher (or equivalent) as part of their application.
• Be able to provide 2 or 3 examples of their playing ability as part of the application process. These don’t need to be professional video or audio recordings, something filmed on your phone is fine!
• Be available to attend a one hour online meeting on Tuesday 17th September at 6pm. 
• Be available on Saturday 2nd and Sunday 3rd November to attend the two day in person workshops in Bristol with a parent, guardian or chaperone.
• Be available for a post workshop 1:1 online mentoring session in November/December 2024.

All participants on the project must attend sessions with a parent, guardian or carer. 

To find our more about Play with Paraorchestra including information on how to apply, please email artistdevelopment@paraorchestra.com