Connect the Dots is a training and co-commissioning programme for composers and facilitators, teaching techniques in inclusive collaborative music making with disabled musicians. There are eight places available, with no fee to participate.
After a successful pilot in early 2024, CoMA will now run the Connect the Dots programme again in February 2025. The workshops will be facilitated by professional disabled musicians and practitioners of inclusive music groups. They will comprise two online sessions and an intensive course over four days in London, from Wednesday 26th February – Saturday 1st March 2025.
In 2021, CoMA conducted its biennial survey and found 86% of composers surveyed claimed they have never worked with a disabled musician, and when individuals were approached to elaborate on why, the most common answer was: “I don’t know how.” Through these workshops, CoMA aims to develop more opportunities, resources and understanding in collaborating with musicians who identify as disabled or would benefit from an alternative physical and/or mental approach to music-making.
Facilitators will include:
Kate Risdon (flute) and Charlotte Bott (LinnStrument) from Bournemouth Symphony’s disabled-led BSO Resound Ensemble will focus on what the LinnStrument can do, practical considerations when writing for Braille scores, plus learning and rehearsal processes for Visually Impaired musicians.
Composer Liam Taylor-West will focus on the practical applications and creative possibilities of ‘recomposing’ work for inclusive ensembles, drawing on their experience working with National Open Youth Orchestra.
Participants will also attend a session with Soundbox, an all-ability inclusive music collective that brings together disabled and non-disabled musicians aged 11–25 run by Tower Hamlets Arts & Music Education Service.
When and where:
Late January–mid-February 2025: Online sessions, including an introduction to Soundbox by ensemble facilitators
Wednesday 26th–Friday 28th February, 11am–4pm: In-person sessions in London at RAW Music Media, 2 Robsart St, Brixton, SW90DJ
The venue for the workshops will be held in a fully accessible space with lift access. There are accessible bathrooms in the building. For further information, please contact Francesca at francesca@coma.org.
Saturday 1st March, 1am–12.30pm: Soundbox rehearsal at THAMES Saturday Music Centre, St Paul’s Way Trust School. Attendance at Soundbox rehearsals will be negotiated on an individual basis, but most participants will attend on this date.
All participants must commit to attend all of the workshops on Wednesday 26th February–Friday 28th February 2025 inclusive.
CoMA is able to provide further assistance to cover access costs for any participants who may require this. Please contact Francesca (francesca@coma.org) for more information.
Who is it for?
We have eight places available for emerging to mid-career composers and music facilitators who are curious about making their work more inclusive and accessible. By completing this training course, participants will be considered for co-commissioning opportunities and facilitator roles with CoMA and our partner organisations.
You do not need to have had previous experience of working with inclusive groups or musicians with disabilities. Composers and facilitators should have at least two years’ experience in their field. Practitioners of all musical genres are welcome.
This is a learning & development opportunity; the workshops are fully-funded meaning there is no fee to participate. CoMA will provide a £400 honorarium for each of the eight participants on the programme. Participants are responsible for their own travel and accommodation if necessary.
CoMA is able to provide further assistance to cover access costs for any participants who may require this (e.g. if you need live captioning, BSL, specific transport etc). Please contact Francesca (francesca@coma.org) for more information.
We actively encourage applicants from diverse and underrepresented backgrounds, including those from the Global Majority, d/Deaf and disabled people, working class backgrounds and LGBTQ+.
How to apply:
To apply please fill out the application form: https://contemporarymusicforallcoma.beaconforms.com/form/6ccfc7cc
Application deadline: Wednesday 18th December 2024, 11.59pm
The application will ask you to answer the following:
1. Tell us a bit about your work and include any audio/video links if applicable.
2. Why do you want to take part in the Connect the Dots workshops?
3. Please identify three ways how taking part in the Connect the Dots workshops will positively impact your career.
Places are limited, so we will select composers and facilitators based on their answers to these questions, their enthusiasm for inclusive practices and the relevance of the course to their work.
If you would prefer to submit a video answering these questions, there is an option on the application form to include a URL. Please ensure that all video submitted does not require a password. If you encounter any difficulties completing the form, please contact francesca@coma.org.
“It was fantastic to spend such concentrated time with people from different organisations, all with different approaches and who come from different perspectives (as facilitators, participants, composers, conductors). My brain is still buzzing with ideas that I can take into my own facilitation and composition work. It was also great to spend time with the cohort, and network with other composer/facilitators who are similarly passionate.” – Participant from the 2024 pilot.