Together for Music: A Celebration of Inclusive Music Making
- Bristol Beacon News
- Photos
- Video
Last month, Bristol Beacon was host to a celebration of inclusive and accessible music making.
Making use of the facilities in our new, accessible venue, we joined forces with music charity Music For Youth and Trinity College London to put on an event for young people unlike anything we had been able to do before. Young musicians, music groups and schools from all over the country came to Bristol for a jam-packed day full of performances, workshops and opportunities to try out accessible instruments.
For many of our pupils, the Together For Music event was a way to access experiences and learning that they usually cannot access in the classroom environment.”
School leader
About the day
The Together For Music event was part of the nationwide Music for Youth Festival 2024 designed for young people aged 11-25 of all abilities, to experience performing, experimenting and listening to music together.
The transformed performance spaces at Bristol Beacon allowed space for young people of all abilities to have access to the stage and seating, for the audience to move around and dance, as well as the option of quiet space to chill out.
Performers were all talented young people, including Chapman Shum, a 13 year old pianist who was born blind, music group ‘Rubik’s Cube’ from Osborne School for pupils with learning disabilities and ‘Blazing Taikos’ – a group of drummers from Bidwell Brook Special Education School in Totnes.
We were also joined by music organisations sharing pioneering accessible instruments, including Open Up Music demonstrating the Clarion – an electronic instrument developed to be played using eye movements, and the Arcana Strum, allowing anyone to play guitar.
I play music to inspire people, because if I can do it, you can do it too”
Chapman Shum, performer at Together For Music
Making our venue accessible for all
The transformed Bristol Beacon was redesigned with access in mind. We believe music is for everyone, whether you are in the audience or performing on the stage in any of our four performance spaces, our aim is for you to have the best experience.
Now, all our performance spaces are wheelchair accessible, with lifts to all floors.
There is level access from Colston Street or Trenchard street with automatic doors.
Accessible toilets are found on all levels, including a Changing Places toilet.
We offer an induction hearing loop and an assistive listening system is available in the venue spaces.
Watch our guide to all our spaces to get a feel for our four new performance spaces:
Looking forward
As part of our Transformation Promise, we are committed to providing musical life-long learning for everyone. We can’t wait to welcome more young people to our accessible venue and open up our city to inspirational live music experiences – whether it is coming to a concert, learning an instrument or playing in an ensemble, everyone’s invited.
At Bristol Beacon we’re dedicated to creating an inclusive space where the joy of live music can be shared by everyone. We were honoured to welcome young people of all abilities from around the country to perform on the Beacon Hall stage and enjoy music making together.”
Adam Kent – Director of Creative Learning and Engagement, Bristol Beacon
Be Creative
Be Creative
We believe in the power of music to inspire, teach and transform lives. Our team aim to create playful, inclusive spaces for everyone to build confidence, learn skills and express themselves through music.
Access
Access
We firmly believe that music should be shared by everyone. Explore more about how you can access our transformed venue and enjoy musical experiences in every space.
More like this
Our HOPE Creative programme receives award for inclusive education
- Bristol Beacon News
