As part of my PhD with Drake Music at Royal Northern College of Music, we are looking for 2 performers who identify as Disabled, d/Deaf or neurodivergent to help develop and perform a new 10 – 12 minute piece with contemporary music ensemble Distractfold at Future Music #4 festival in October 2022.
The residency is aiming to be as accessible to all performers as possible, putting accessibility at the start of the process. More thoughts from me on that below.
Watch the Video Brief [YouTube video, audio, captions available]:
Key Info:
Fee: £1,000 (rehearsals, performance, expenses)
Accessibility: there is a separate budget and support provided by Drake Music to meet requirements
Concert: 25 October 2022 in Manchester
Rehearsal 1: 26 February 2022 in Manchester
Plus 12 hours between March – October, arranged as best for each artist (online/remote options possible)
Deadline for applications: Wednesday 16 February, 10pm
Selection process: artists will be chosen based on suitability of instrument and style for the piece. Any performer who identifies as disabled, d/Deaf or neurodivergent and is interested in any of the following should apply:
Experimentation, Sound Art, Improvisation, Text Scores, Graphic Scores, Artificial Intelligence, Accessible Musical Instruments
The other ensemble members will be electric guitar, violin, cello and clarinets.
We would like to keep in touch with every artist who expresses their interest as there will be more pieces and collaboration opportunities as part of the PhD project with Drake Music 2021 – 2024.
How to Apply:
Complete the online form by Wednesday 16 February at 10pm and we will be in touch in the following days.
If the form is not accessible, you can email responses to the questions below in any format (text, audio, video) to megansteinbergmusic@gmail.com
- Full name
- Instrument
- Email (or the best way to contact you)
- Link to a recording (any length or quality)
- Access rider or requirements
- Tell us if you can attend the concert and rehearsal
- Tell us if you are happy to be contacted for other opportunities
- Ask us any questions
You can also email me or message me on social media to schedule a Zoom or phone call to share your information, if that’s better for you.
More Info
Find out more about the organisations involved on their websites below
I have a piece in progress. The artists involved (2 RNCM PRiSM Drake Music Artists in Residence and Distractfold) will be very involved in the development of the music. I am particularly interested in hearing from artists who play Accessible Musical Instruments or Digital Instruments that they are keen to develop music for in an accessible way.
There is no requirement for a specific way of reading or interpreting music, the piece will develop around every individual’s needs and preferences for communicating and performing music. There may be multiple forms of a score or instructions specific to each player.
Please listen to some of my music.
My PhD is specifically looking at disability and accessibility in music. I will talk about disability, health, access and inclusion as part of the process. That is also why this opportunity is in partnership with Drake Music only open to disabled, d/Deaf and neurodivergent artists.
This project is made possible by support from AHRC and the work of composer Lucy Hale.
Megan Steinberg 