Design competition will create one-handed orchestral instruments

A competition challenging technologists, inventors and instrument makers to design and build one-handed instruments that can emulate any of those used in the classical orchestra has been launched by Stephen Hetherington, non-executive Chairman of HQ Theatres, the wholly-owned subsidiary of Qdos Entertainment Plc. Hetherington will himself be cycling from Birmingham to Bordeaux in a bid to raise the funds needed to get the competition up and running. His ultimate aim is to see new instruments invented “to open full and undifferentiated participation in musical life; whether at school, in the home, or in a professional ensemble.” At present there are no orchestral musical instruments that can be played with one hand, and Hetherington’s competition and associated fundraising campaign aim to open new horizons to hundreds of thousands of people with disabilities in the UK, and millions across the world, who are currently excluded from music making. He told AP: “Our success will have a profound impact not just on individuals but on society’s relationship with disability, opening new realms of achievement and possibility”.

Entrants to the One-Handed Musical Instrument (OHMI) competition will be challenged to develop an instrument that is capable of fully and accurately emulating a traditional orchestral instrument without the use of one hand and arm. Any musical instrument can be emulated, providing that it is, or was once, commonly found in a symphony orchestra, chamber orchestra or other ensemble; a concerto has been composed for the instrument and previously performed; the instrument being emulated does not already use any electronic devices; and is tuned, and capable of playing complex melodies. Hetherington said: “It is a very tall order to replicate the subtlety and complexity of an orchestral wind or string instrument. Of necessity, there will be a combination of delicate and subtle physical actions with electronic, programmable hardware and complex software. We are planning that the winning instrument(s) will give public performances in Linz with the Bruckner Orchestra and in Britain with a UK orchestra, and are hopeful that the UK performance will be broadcast nationally.”

Project partners in the initiative are The Digital Exploration Centre, working with HemiHelp, Ars Electronica, and the City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra. The best will be awarded the world’s most prestigious prize for creative technology, the Prix Ars Electronica. There will be three prize categories: one for the instrument that most closely copies the musical characteristics of the instrument it is emulating; one for the best performance, judged in a musical sense, on any of the competition instruments; and one for the most promising solution to the challenge.

Richard Muncaster, Communications and Development Director at Shape, the disability-led arts organisation working to improve access to culture for disabled people, said: “Disabled people face all sorts of barriers. But often, all it takes to break them down is a little creative thought. This project is a great example of how we can do just that – I can’t wait to see what the entrants come up with.”

Stephen Hetherington is seeking sponsors to raise money to make the project possible and is hoping that arts professionals will show their support for the initiative by making a sponsorship pledge. He told AP: “What will come from the OHMI project will be extraordinary. So much so that I’m risking life and limb to help make it happen. Simply by sponsoring my cycling challenge, please help bring music-making to the millions of people across the world who are presently excluded. Martin Dyke, the OHMI Project’s solicitor, promises none of it will be spent on my hospital bills!”