Able Orchestra (AO): Project Lead Music Artist/Artist Collective Call Out

Able Orchestra (AO): Lead Music Artist/Artist Collective Call Out for Showcase Event

Who we are:

Inspire Youth Arts (IYA) is part of Inspire: Culture, Learning and Libraries, a charitable community benefit society delivering cultural and learning services across Nottinghamshire. Our mission is: To inspire people to read, learn and enjoy culture.

Able Orchestra Project Summary:

Able Orchestra (AO) is an inclusive music and digital project which supports young people aged 11 - 25 from across Nottinghamshire to develop skills and confidence in making and performing music and digital art through accessible approaches. The AO project is produced by Inspire Youth Arts and currently funded by an Arts Council England National Lottery Project Grant.

AO supports an inclusive approach and targets young people who have a physical and/or learning disability and/or who are neurodivergent. There is a clear progression pathway in development for AO participants that supports young people at different stages of their experience and skill levels in music and digital art.

The AO project offers high-quality creative opportunities for participants to compose, record and perform music and digital art. Highlights to date include performing with the BBC Concert Orchestra, Petebox and Orchestra of the Swan as part of the BBC Proms, Hockley Hustle and Soundstage festivals. AO aims to defy musical genres and broaden possibilities, particularly for disabled young musicians and artists.

Role Description:

All AO participants are currently working towards a showcase opportunity in the Autumn 2025 as part of their regular sessions. We are looking for a Lead Music Artist/Artist collective to work with participants across the AO project to lead on the creation and performance of a collaborative finale piece for the showcase.

AO participants are particularly excited by opportunities to blur the lines between genres of music and how an ‘orchestra’ is perceived. Technology, including accessible technology and digital instruments are at the heart of AO, with many participants using the Digit CMPSR to compose and perform.

The Music Artist/Artist Collective will have:

A track record of producing high-quality compositions, arrangements and/or performances across multiple musical genres.
Experience of inclusive facilitation and collaboration with young people, particularly young people who identify as disabled and/or neurodivergent.
The ability to perform your instrument/s to a high standard.
Excellent communication skills and ability to adapt communication depending on audience.
Excellent organisational skills and the ability to work calmly under pressure.

The Music Artist/Artist collective may also have:

Knowledge and experience working with music technology and/or accessible digital instruments.
Previous experience of high-quality musical and digital collaboration projects, as a leader and/or performer.

Inspire Youth Arts places equality, inclusion, access, and diversity at the heart of our work and this is key to the delivery of Able Orchestra. We welcome applications from disabled and/or neurodivergent people and those who are members of other structurally disadvantaged groups including those from the Global Majority, LGBTQIA+ people and those from economically disadvantaged backgrounds.

Project Schedule:

June-November 2025

Planning work with the Inspire Youth Arts team will begin in June. This can take place remotely.
The delivery will happen as an intensive model over 3 days during August with shorter rehearsal sessions to follow. Current dates outlined are 5th-7th August but there is flexibility. There will then be a regular Wednesday evening session on 13, 20 and 27 August to complete the work. All delivery will happen in person at the Newstart Theatre, Portland College, Nottingham Road, Mansfield, NG18 4TJ.
The final performance will take place in late October/early November at a venue in Nottingham City Centre.

Project Fees:

Planning and Consultation