Musicians from National Open Youth Orchestra (NOYO) and local amateur players unite with professional musicians from Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra and BSO Resound for a weekend of inclusive music-making each November.
The aim of the weekend is to open up symphonic music-making to disabled musicians alongside both amateur and professional musicians, providing an inclusive environment in which all can play symphonic music as part of a large ensemble, culminating in an informal sharing to family and friends.
To ensure there are not barriers to participation, parts are arranged or adapted for new instruments, braille transcriptions and audio parts are made and The Clarion patterns and other learning resources are created. ‘Hands on’ sessions are held by BSO musicians so that visually impaired musicians can feel the instruments, their size and how they make sound.
The Symphony from Scratch programme is a part of wider work and research by Open Up Music, an organisation which champions 11-25 year old disabled and non-disabled musicians.
Video from 2023 Symphony from Scratch pilot
It’s been wonderful to get back into a big orchestra and to have the chance to play a real symphony, that’s been great.
Symphony from Scratch is generously supported by
In partnership with
