Paraorchestra of London dazzles Bahraini audience
Manama : Six members of the British Paraorchestra, led by founder Charles Hazlewood, are currently on tour from London gave a public preview of their enchanting “sextet ensemble” at St Christopher’s school in Saar yesterday afternoon. Around 40 people attended the event.
Paraorchestra showcases disabled musicians with extraordinary abilities and currently has 28 members. The event was hosted by the British Council and attended by BC Projects Manager Kawthar Al Arab and newly-arrived Director Alan Rutt.
The purpose of this event was to introduce the musicians to the public and, also, to give a little background on each of their personal stories. The six members include Lloyd who plays the clarinet, Stephanie on the harpsichord and flute, Oliver on the harmonica, Tom on the acoustic guitar, and finally, Paul and Adrian Lee on the electric guitar.
The British Council piloted a flagship project five years ago, called Art-Abled, which supports inclusion and diversity and centres around enabling people with special needs to reach their highest potential. This is the first time the British Paraorchestra has visited Bahrain, and there is a plan underway to fly all of its members to Bahrain at the end of the year for a full orchestra performance. The British Council were also celebrating “200 years of friendly diplomatic relationship with Britain and the anniversary of a treaty with the Royal Court,” said Al Arab.
RIA Institute of Bahrain staff and students were invited to attend the event as honorary guests.
Hazlewood, who gave an inspiring speech to start off the event, said that it is his goal to have people view the orchestra “not as a therapy for disabled musicians, but rather as an orchestra for musicians who happen to have a disability and are exceptional at playing their chosen instruments.”
“There is no barrier to the making of great music, and a great musician is a great musician,” he added. “A fundamental barrier at most concert halls is the lack of accessibility to disabled people, and in this regard we are trying to bring about fast change.”
The session ended at 1:30pm with a magnificent ensemble of soaring and masterful quality. The British Paraorchestra is holding a public musical performance at Shaikh Ebrahim Centre in Muharraq tomorrow from 8pm to 9:15pm.
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