WildKat PR is thrilled to welcome Inclusive Creativity! The project, based in Northern Ireland, was devised by composer Frank Lyons of Ulster University. It aims to level the playing field in performance and composition for disabled musicians by developing innovative instrumental technology and methodologies that allow for side-by-side performance with professional musicians.

In 2015, three partner organisations (Walled City Music, Drake Music and St. Magnus International Festival) received funding from the Calouste Gulbenkian Foundation to develop a pilot participatory project using ‘inclusive creativity’ as its driving principle. The project brought together musicians and composers to research participant-led routes into collaborative music making. Under the direction of professor Lyons, an ensemble of disabled and non-disabled artists met regularly to improvise and compose music together in Derry/Lononderry. They used assistive music technology (AMT) as well as more conventional musical instruments. This ensemble became Acoustronic.

A performance featuring Acoustronic and partner ensemble the Benyounes Quartet will perform Lyons’s specially-commissioned work ‘NonZeroSum’ and George Crumb’s ‘Black Angels’ at Rich Mix on 5th September.

Olivia Brown, Head of Creative Strategy and Marketing, said: “Inclusive Creativity is an incredibly inspiring project that provides essential opportunities for disabled musicians. Especially with disability often being left out of diversity conversations in the classical industry and beyond, it’s vital that projects like this are championed across the sector and WildKat are delighted to support this pioneering and forward-thinking collaboration.”

The concerts in London and Dublin are kindly supported by PRS for Music’s ‘Breaking Borders’, CGF’s ‘Sharing the Stage’ and the British Council.