At-Bristol Science Centre provide a new base for the British Paraorchestra
Wednesday 1 July | Jen Forster
Wed 1 July 2015
At-Bristol Science Centre, one of the UK’s leading interactive science centres, is proud to be playing host to the British Paraorchestra, the world’s first professional ensemble for disabled musicians.
The first science centre in the world to be supporting an orchestra in this way, At-Bristol’s vision of a more closely connected culture of arts and science chimes with the Paraorchestra’s mission to push creative boundaries and seek out more diverse collaborations .
Founded by British conductor Charles Hazlewood and television director Claire Whalley in January 2012, the British Paraorchestra is pioneering a global movement to recognise and showcase disabled musicians with extraordinary abilities. Its mission is to end the limitations placed on them, not by their physical ability, but by lack of opportunity. They performed with Coldplay at the Closing Ceremony of the 2012 London Paralympics, and there is high hope that The British Paraorchestra will play a prominent role in the Rio 2016 Paralympics Opening Ceremony.
The move to Bristol will see members of the British Paraorchestra team based in At-Bristol’s offices, as part of an exciting new stage in the development of the ensemble.
Anna Starkey, At-Bristol’s Creative Director said: “We’re delighted to be able to support the British Paraorchestra in our space here; there’s a shared energy across our teams in terms of opening up access to life enhancing experiences and ideas which people might otherwise find barriers to. As we build on our connections with communities across the city, I’m fascinated to see what collaborative opportunities we can explore. The convergence of music and technology, as realised by the talent and musicianship of the Paraorchestra, is a great example of how science and art can set each other free. We can’t wait to see how the Paraorchestra take flight in the city of Bristol and beyond.”
Charles Hazlewood added:
"We are utterly thrilled to have the support of At-Bristol; here is a trailblazing organisation whose mission is to demystify science and technology, to engage all aspects of the community with it; The British Paraorchestra's parallel mission is to engage the world with brilliant musicians who are disabled, and to ensure that they are valued and heard, alongside all other musicians in the global musical community. In addition, technology lies at the heart of the Paraorchestra (many of the musicians use assistive devices to make music), another of so many reasons why At-Bristol is the perfect environment for us!"
The team will move in to At-Bristol’s offices later this summer, and are performing in the Fast Forward Music Festival in a one-off concert at Colston Hall on 3 July. For more information please visit: