OrchLab: Leading the way for The Accessible Musical Instrument Collection 

Updates

OrchLab, the long-term partnership project between the London Philharmonic Orchestra and Drake Music, continues to grow after seven years of accessible music-making with Disabled adults. OrchLab is an accessible music programme that aims to enhance wellbeing and increase confidence through music-making. A core feature of OrchLab is the ongoing development of bespoke accessible musical instruments, which we design and build in collaboration with our OrchLab participants, responding to their ideas, and their access requirements. Some of these instruments exist online, and others are physical instruments. We call these the OrchLab Touch Instruments. It’s exciting to announce that OrchLab’s touch instruments will be central to the new Accessible Musical Instrument Collection (AMIC), which is currently being developed by Drake Music. 

 

Photograph shows an OrchLab participant playing an adapted instrument- the Touch Trombone.
 Image description: Photograph shows an OrchLab participant sitting in their wheelchair at a table. They are playing an accessible instrument- the Touch Trombone. It is secured to a wooden board, with electrical components and wires.

 

What is AMIC? 

AMIC is Drake Music’s long-term project to build a comprehensive collection of accessible musical instruments and technology. This will be the first of its kind across the globe. Currently there is nowhere in the world where someone who needs an accessible instrument can go to try out the full range of instruments and technology available to them.  

Over time, we plan to change this, by building as comprehensive a collection as possible, including commercial and bespoke instruments, as well as all of the accompanying equipment and technology needed to make them work.  

 

Photograph of an OrchLab participant playing an accessible instrument- the Touch Oboe.
Image description: Photograph of an OrchLab participant sitting at a table. They are playing an accessible instrument- the Touch Oboe. It is secured to a wooden board, with electrical components and wires.

 

Where does OrchLab fit into all this? 

Part of the AMIC project is to develop the next generation of accessible instruments, using a co-design methodology. We can then make these new instruments as widely available as possible. The OrchLab project is a brilliant example of how this kind of work can enable the development of new and innovative instruments, that directly meet the access needs of those using them, in the context that they’re being used.  

The OrchLab touch instruments are some of the first to be included in AMIC, and will serve as prototypes for our system of open-sourcing and sharing the design, code and expertise needed for more to be made. 

 

Photograph of a person sitting at a desk. They are playing the Touch Trombone.
Image description: Photograph of a person sitting at a desk. They are playing the Touch Trombone, an adapted instrument. It is secured to a wooden board, with electrical components and wires.

 

Where can I learn more about OrchLab’s Touch Instruments? 

Over the last few years, we’ve developed accessible versions of several classical musical instruments, including the harp, oboe, and trombone. This has been done in collaboration with the Disabled people who participate in OrchLab each year. In 2024 we’re developing an accessible violin, that can be played in a variety of ways, with or without a bow. 

 

 

A hand drawn black and white diagram of an accessible violin instrument from Drake Music's AMIC's collection.
Image description: A hand drawn black and white diagram of an accessible violin instrument from Drake Music’s AMIC’s collection.

 

To find out more about the existing OrchLab touch instruments, please follow these links to the OrchLab website. 

Touch Harp  

Touch Trombone 

Touch Oboe 

Article written by Drake Music Project Manager and Associate Musician, Dav Shiel.

 OrchLab is generously supported by JTI.