In tune: First youth orchestra for the disabled
YOUNG disabled musicians will take centre stage when they join forces for a special performance later this year.
The Le Chéile project will establish four unique ensembles – one for each province – before they come together in September to perform the Open Youth Orchestra of Ireland, the first youth orchestra for disabled musicians in Europe.
The ensembles will have between eight and 12 members. They will choose whether to use conventional instruments or adaptive music technology, which uses equipment such as iPads and motion sensors to allow physically and intellectually disabled musicians to compose, improvise and perform music on a level never possible before.
The groups will use a ground-breaking methodology for directing the performance, known as ‘conductology’, which sees the conductor use 18 gestures to facilitate the performance.