Re-inventing the orchestra for the 21st century

Paraorchestra is the world’s only large-scale integrated virtuoso ensemble of professional disabled and non-disabled musicians.

Our mission is to redefine what an orchestra can be. We see it as an extraordinary and perfectly synchronised body of instruments that draws on the tradition of centuries but is enriched and expanded by the talents, the instruments and the zeitgeist of the 21st century.

The visible participation of talented disabled and non-disabled musicians playing old and new repertoire, that includes digital or assistive instruments alongside traditional ones, is a step-change in the world of orchestral music. This new ‘breed’ of orchestra belongs at rock festivals just as much as in a concert hall; reaching the broadest range of audiences.

Our Artistic Director, Charles Hazlewood, has always been drawn to developing work that can reach out to the widest range of audiences. This unique collaborative approach to high-octane music-making is challenging worldwide perceptions of the status of disabled musicians in classical performance, and of classical music itself.

Paraorchestra channels the artistic vision of Charles Hazlewood, the award-winning British conductor and our Artistic Director.

(Charles Hazlewood conducting kraftwerk re:werk at The Marble Factory. Credit Antoine Schroetter)

“Orchestral music is my absolute passion, its ability to uplift, enhance and unite has been a continual revelation since I was a boy. When I started as a young conductor I was frustrated by the narrow confines of ‘classical music’. I wanted to take it out of the concert hall and bring the sheer awesome joy of orchestral performance to all music lovers wherever they are. To prove that you can love rap, folk, and Sibelius! And so started an unconventional conducting career that took a new turn in 2012 when I began working with the Paraorchestra. These incredible musicians opened my mind to a whole new set of musical possibilities. My work expanded from developing a new audience for orchestral music to re-imagining what an orchestra is.”

Charles Hazlewood

Charles regularly conducts many of the world’s greatest orchestras and collaborates with a huge spectrum of fellow artists from Professor Green to Steve Reich to Nigel Kennedy to Goldie. His fresh performances of music across genres break new ground and excite audiences wherever he performs, but his goal is always the same: exposing the deep, always-modern joy of orchestral music.

We collaborate with an array of brilliant artists and organisations to create ground-breaking work for the broadest range of audiences.  We recognise that each new relationship we build helps generate positive change for professional disabled musicians working in the mainstream.

Caroline Bowditch

Choreographer

Choreographer for The Nature of Why

Bristol Plays Music

Education and Learning Partner

Anatomy of the Orchestra was first presented by Bristol Music Trust

Colston Hall

Partner

Paraorchestra are an Associate Artist of Colston Hall

Extraordinary Bodies

Artistic collaborator

Collaborators on Terry Riley's In C

Rolf Gehlhaar (1943-2019)

Former assistant to Karlheinz Stockhausen, composer, and assistive-technology instrument designer, Rolf was a revered accomplice in the early years of Paraorchestra; He, alongside his son Vahakn, have been critical friends to us, and we honour his memory.

Will Gregory

Musician & Composer

Composer for The Nature of Why
Special guest musician on Thunderbirds are Go!

Jason Hazeley

Writer

Dramaturg for Minimalism Changed My Life

Chris Levine

Light Artist

Lighting Designer for A Celebration of David Bowie (Glastonbury Festival 2016)

John Minton

Filmmaker

Filmmaker / Live Visuals Director for Minimalism Changed My Life

Unlimited

Commissioning Partner

Unlimited commissions for Paraorchestra and Friends include The Nature of Why

Adrian Utley

Musician and producer

Special guest musician in The Love Unlimited Synth Orchestra, Terry Riley's In C and Thunderbirds are Go!

Paraorchestra and Friends is a registered charity (no: 1163725), based in Bristol. We are grateful to receive funding from Arts Council England, The Mark Leonard Trust, The Esmée Fairbairn Foundation, Garfield Weston, and Bristol City Council, all of which enables us to continue with our unique and pioneering work. But, we will always need further support. If you like what we are doing please consider donating via our fundraising channel, or contact us for more information regarding one-off or ongoing support.