As part of the RNCM’s first ever Disability Awareness Week, the College presents the Lucy Hale Day of Music, Disability and Technology, in collaboration with Drake Music, directed by composer Megan Steinberg and co-directed by composer Ben Lunn.
The day spotlights the work of disabled, d/Deaf and neurodivergent artists in the UK who use technology in innovative ways, and whose unique practices are driven by their differences, instead of conforming to non-disabled traditions. From Clare Johnston’s iPad to Louis Palfrey’s Makey Makey Kits and Sonia Allori’s Electronic Wind Instrument, each artist and event provides new insight into technology, music and disability.
About Lucy Hale:
Lucy Hale was a composer and disability advocate, who died in January 2021. Lucy was known for her innovative approach to composition and her passion for breaking down barriers. In 2021 Lucy was planning to begin her PhD at the Royal Northern College of Music, in partnership with Drake Music and PRiSM, having won Collaborative Doctoral Award funding to investigate disability and accessibility through the composition of new works for accessible musical instruments. This research continues in her name, now carried out by Megan Steinberg, who will be showcasing some of her work at this celebration of Lucy’s life.
All events are free to attend and are as accessible as possible.
This event is made possible by NWCDTP who are supporting Megan Steinberg’s Lucy Hale Doctoral Award, a Composition PhD in association with Drake Music exploring and widening accessibility in music.
Schedule:
11.30am – 12pm / Carole Nash Recital Room
Welcome
12pm – 1pm / Carole Nash Recital Room
Workshop with Louis Palfrey
Louis Palfrey is an award-winning Autistic composer, producer and educator based in Margate who works with music technology to create distinct sound worlds that tell a story. Louis will run a workshop on using simple graphic notation and conductive interfaces to create a playable graphic score.
2pm – 3pm / RNCM Concert Hall
Performance 1: Digital Orchestra with Drake Music Scotland
This session will explore the 10-year evolution of Digital Orchestra from a 2012 New Music Collaboration in London to what exists today: a busy and varied programme of artist support tailored to individual ambitions. We will share films and images from recent performances including Diversions and Echoes Concerts, Devised & Curated by Ben Lunn.
3.15pm – 4.15pm / Carole Nash Recital Room
Talk: Putting Accessibility at the Start of the Creative Process with Megan Steinberg Lucy Hale Doctoral Award Holder
4.30pm – 5.30pm / RNCM Concert Hall
Performance 2: Clare Johnston
Clare Johnston is a disabled-identifying performer, composer, teacher, and music technology experimenter. As an Associate Musician with Drake Music Scotland, Clare writes mostly for iPad using the ThumbJam app, performing her own compositions. Her performances involve a wide variety of technology instruments used by Drake Music Scotland to make music performances accessible.
5.45pm – 6.15pm / Carole Nash Recital Room
Film Screening – Forward: This is happening + Q&A
This short film, by Zakiya Leeming, documents the process of making Megan Steinberg’s new piece This is happening, which premières in the evening concert. Working with flautist Kathryn Williams and EWI performer Sonia Allori, the three musicians figure out how to make the composition process accessible.
8pm – 9pm / RNCM Concert Hall
Evening Concert
The day culminates in a concert of world premières from artistic partnerships between PRiSM and Drake Music.
Sarah Fisher Mysteries of my mind (world première)
Bofan Ma, Sarah Fisher keyboard/piano/percussion
Oliver Vibrans Hatchet Job (world première)
Tilly Chester viola
Megan Steinberg This is happening (world première)
Kathryn Williams flute
Sonia Allori electronic wind instrument (EWI)
Tickets:
Day ticket (access to all events throughout the day, including the Evening Concert):
Free admission, ticket required (limited availability)
Evening Concert ticket only
Free admission, ticket required
This programme was updated on 27/01/2023.
Details 