2024 In Review

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Categories: DM Team

It’s been a busy, exciting year here at Drake Music. From hackathons to inclusive ensembles, we’ve explored countless ways of accessible music-making. There’s been lots to shout about, so we put together this selection of highlights for you to enjoy!

Drake Music Collective Showcase

 

A BSL interpreter on stage at the DMC showcase. They are stood on stage left side, with musicians performing in the centre. The lighting is pink.

We started the year off strongly with performances from our Resident and Emergent Artists at the DMC showcase in January. Hosted at the spectacular LSO St Luke’s to a crowd of 100 music industry professionals, it was an incredible night. Recap of the action available here!

DMLab: In Conversation with Roger Linn

 

Headshot of Roger Linn. Roger is wearing black glasses and a grey shirt which is unbuttoned. He has grey hair and is smiling warmly at the camera.

In February, we hosted an online event with legendary instrument designer, Roger Linn. Roger talked us through the evolution of his accessible instruments, including how he worked with Stevie Wonder to create a quantized drum machine. You can watch the stream back here!

DMLab North-West: The Next Frontier in Accessibility 

 

A photograph of a video camera live-feed. The image is focused on 3 people who are sitting on stage in discussion.

March was the month for accessible music-making at School of Digital Arts (SODA). We were joined by Ableton, Roland, Focusrite, Audio Modelling and Softube in Manchester, as we learnt about  their commitments to accessibility. Watch it back here.

Emergent Artist Showcase with Irene Taylor Trust

 

5 musicians on stage playing a group piece. They are standing, sitting at instruments or are sitting in a wheelchair. The lighting is purple and yellow.

5 brilliant artists from ITT and Drake Music took to the Rich Mix stage with new music in May. It was an incredible evening in London, celebrating the culmination of a two-year partnership between the two organisations. Watch here!

DM team at Buckingham Palace Creative Industries Garden Party

 

4 of the Drake Music team smiling at the camera. They are wearing smart attire, and are outside, against a backdrop of grass and shrubs with purple flowers.

Also in May, we were proud to be recognised as one of the UK’s leading creative arts organisations. It was a privilege to join the celebrations on the Buckingham Palace lawn, with 4 members of the Drake Music team in attendance on a gloriously sunny day!

Platform participants visit Bristol Beacon Music Hub

 

A group of people on a tour of a large, bright concert hall. They are standing towards the back, and are looking at the stage which is being set.

In July, we had an exciting visit to the newly refurbished Bristol Beacon Music Hub in Southmead! Bristol Beacon is home to our weekly initiative that offers Disabled adults in an opportunity to participate in music-making. Find out more about Platform here.

DMLab London: Meet the Makers

 

A photograph of (left to right) Nicola Woodham, Lee Holder and zen olenski. The three are standing on stage, leaning on red chairs in front. Nicola and zen are looking at the camera, smiling, whilst Lee is looking to their left.

July also saw the awardees of our 2023 Accessible Instrument Development Fund present 3 brand-new instruments, developed over the course of a year, at DMLab London! You can find more information about the work of Nicola Woodham, Lee Holder and zen olenski, including videos, presentations and blogs.

The Art We Share: Documentary series launch

 

A screengrab of Sarah Adedeji during an interview. Sarah has red braided hair, and is looking towards the direction of the interviewer. She is smiling.

Released in August, DMC 23/24 Resident Artist Ysabelle Wombell interviewed five d/Deaf and Disabled artists, providing a unique insight into the challenges of performing and navigating in an often inaccessible world. Find the full playlist here.

Sony Hackathon in partnership with Paraorchestra, MyWorld and Watershed

 

Hackathon participants sitting at at table in a team, smiling and laughing. On the table in front of them is a long piece of blue card, electrical wires and sensors.

In September we headed to Bristol. This 3-day event partnered Sony engineers, Disabled musicians from Paraorchestra and Drake Music hackers at Watershed. The boundaries of assistive music tech were truely broken! Find out more.

Future Leaders announced

 

2 separate images. Left image is of Vinicius Motta, a young man dressed in a black suit. He is looking down at the camera in a confident manner. Right image is Georgina Spray, a young woman dressed in smart clothes. She is reading sheet music with a French horn resting on her legs. Both images are within a concert hall setting.

In November, we announced the start of our Future Leaders programme! The project, funded by Youth Music,  supports young Disabled musicians aged 18-25 to build skills and explore diverse roles in music. Meet two of our Future Leaders, Vinícius and Georgina!

OrchLab Festival Day

 

A black, white and pink illustration of OrchLab 2025 participants playing musical instruments, sitting at tables and composing music. They are smiling.

Rounding off the year in style, last month we headed to Southbank Centre for a day of  inclusive music-making with Disabled adults. OrchLab is a long-term project with our partners, London Philharmonic Orchestra. More info here!

Seasons greetings

If you celebrate it, we’d like to take this opportunity to wish our followers and communities a very merry Christmas and a happy New Year! We’d also like to say a big ‘thank you’ for your support throughout 2024. Whether you’ve attended events, participated in research or partnered with us in a project, we appreciate you.

Special thanks to our donors and funders Arts Council England, Youth Music, PRS Foundation, City Bridge Foundation, The Joyce Fletcher Charitable Trust, Quartet Community Foundation, John James Foundation, Garrick Club Charitable Trust and Scops Arts Trust for making our work possible this year. If you’d like to help us fund future projects, you can make a donation to us.

Looking to 2025…

We’re excited for the new year, new projects and new partnerships, whatever form they may take. Join us as we continue to explore innovative and original ways to make music accessible for all!

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