RNIB's Music Advisory Service (MAS) works with several organisations to make music with blind and partially sighted children, (and occasionally their families), and adults. This music making gives opportunities to examine particular aspects such as ways of using Braille music and Modified Stave Notation, ensemble playing based in sound rather than vision, and music as a motivator to action. Partner organisations provide the funding for the workshops and often splendid concert halls and music rooms for this work.
Our grateful thanks to all the organisations on this page for their support.
In 2010, MAS worked with the following external organisations:
The Handel House Museum
Fifth annual Composition Summer School, a five day course for six blind and partially sighted students aged 16 and over, working with Duncan Macleod, the composer in residence, and Spirituoso, ensemble in residence at the Museum. Each participant wrote a piece which was premiered in a public concert at the Museum as part of the Handel House's New Music season.
"In the Moment", a professional workshop for adults working in the music business as workshop leaders on community music projects. This was led by the composer in residence. Participants had the opportunity to lead part of the day and receive constructive feedback and criticism on the use of their own materials.
"Pieces of a Jigsaw", a workshop for children aged nine to fourteen, led by the composer in residence, exploring the musical links between Handel and Jimi Hendrix linking with the Handel House's 2010 exhibition. Participants had the chance to try different methods of composing and improvising which culminated in a final performance of compositions.
Please visit the Handel House Museum website for details of live music and other exhibitions and events.
The Wigmore Hall
'All Together' A day for blind and partially sighted musicians who play in ensembles, offering practical advice on presentation to an audience in a formal setting with a performance on the Wigmore Hall stage. The day also included professional advice on marketing and communication, as well as an introduction to Alexander Technique.
The day was led by Mark Messenger, Head of Strings, Royal College of Music, and Sue Sturrock, Director of Communications, Royal College of Music.
"Singing for the King of the Road" was a day of music and movement for young children and their families, led by Robert Adediran and other musicians. The children created music to accompany the story of the King of the Road which was told on the Wigmore hall stage at the end of the day.
Please visit the Wigmore Hall website for further information about concerts at this world-famous venue and other education projects.
Royal Opera House, Covent Garden
'Open Spaces' gave blind and partially sighted musicians the opportunity to explore the Royal Opera House through its acoustics and create music inspired by each space.
The day included the chance to observe an orchestral rehearsal of the Firebird by stravinsky, a guided tour and a composition workshop led by musicians of the orchestra.
"Sounding Out", part of the Royal Opera House's week of activities for families, gave blind and partially sighted children and their families the chance to create music inspired by the ballet Romeo and Juliet, led by Caroline Walsh.
Please visit the Royal Opera House website for details of performances and other events and workshops
Music4Disabled, Oxfordshire
MAS provided music sessions as part of an activity day for children with complex needs including sight loss, and their families.
Please visit the Music4disabled website to find out more about the work of this music club for young people and children with disabilities
Other events
'Hurley Burley with a Hurdy Gurdy' was a day for children aged eight to twelve who transformed the RNIB meeting room into a Tudor court, recreating music to accompany a Shakespeare sonnet, a hunt and a lively town tavern, finishing on a loud note with three children playing the medieval bagpipes. The day was led by performer and instrument maker Nicholas Perry.
To read more about this day, please download the following report
'Searching the Stave'. This exhibition held at RNIB brought together suppliers of equipment or services benefitting partially sighted musicians reading large print and modified notation. Presentations were given by Avid Sibelius, SightRead Ltd and Dancing Dots. Sally Zimmermann, RNIB Music Adviser, illustrated how print notation can be modified and used.
You can read more about Modified Stave Notation (MSN) in our Reading and Playing Music section.