UK orchestra forms disabled-led ensemble

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Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra becomes the first symphony orchestra in the world to
have a professional ensemble led by disabled musicians as a core part of its activities 

Following auditions in November 2017, the Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra today announces the six founding musicians of its new disabled-led ensemble; Siobhan Clough(violin/ viola), Phillip Howells (percussion), Roger Preston (cello), Kate Risdon (flute), Matthew Scott (clarinet) and Charlotte White (LinnStrument).

The six disabled musicians chosen to be part of the ensemble are all of professional standard. Three of the ensemble studied at London conservatoires (Guildhall, Trinity Laban and Royal Academy of Music) and Siobhan Clough (violin/viola) is currently in her third year at the RAM.  BSO’s ensemble will become a permanent part of the Orchestra’s output, and the musicians will be given performance opportunities, professional development, and will be paid professional rates. They will have the opportunity to perform not only as a standalone ensemble but also alongside the BSO who will be learning new skills and accommodating the needs of the ensemble players and their disabilities.

These musicians will be working alongside the ensemble conductor James Rose as well as Alexander Campkin, the ensemble’s Composer-in-Residence, and Lucy Hale, the ensemble’s Young Composer-in-Association.

A name for the ensemble will be announced in due course.

Dougie Scarfe, CEO of the BSO, said “The BSO is delighted to welcome these incredibly talented musicians to the ensemble. I am extremely proud that the BSO is the first Orchestra in the world to have a professional disabled-led ensemble as a core part of its activities. I know that this new BSO ensemble will help promote diversity within the arts and society as a whole, making music more accessible to everyone.”