Our 2026 Musician Callout is open now

Help us create unforgettable live shows and develop your artistic practice as a member of Paraorchestra. 

About us

Paraorchestra is a fearless collective of disabled and non-disabled musicians. Led by our Artistic Director Charles Hazlewood, we exist to push the boundaries of music-making. We collaborate across genres and artforms and challenge outdated ideas about who orchestral music is ‘for’ as well as who gets to experience it, and who gets to play it.

In the past few years alone, we have taken groundbreaking immersive shows to the Bristol Beacon - where we are proudly associate artists - the Southbank Centre, and across the world to venues such as the Lincoln Center in New York City and Amsterdam’s Concertgebouw. We’ve played main stages at Glastonbury Festival, paraded through city streets and ventured as far away as Hong Kong and Perth, Australia. In 2025 we were awarded ‘Best Ensemble’ at the Royal Philharmonic Society.

Behind the scenes, our artist development programme Modulate works with disabled members of our orchestra to fulfil their creative ambitions. Offering one-to-one support, small project grants, residencies and commissions we support musicians and composers to develop their creative practice in order to take up space as artists and leaders in their own right.

Eligibility

In order to apply, you must:

• Identify as disabled, Deaf, and/ or neurodivergent
• Be 18 years old or over - there is no upper age limit
• Perform music to a professional level
• Be a resident in the UK

At Paraorchestra we take an individual approach to access, recognising that identity is multifaceted and intersectional. We use the Social Model of Disability to guide our approach to access. 

You don’t have to already be working as a professional musician - you may be leaving education, for example - but you must be able to play to a high standard.

Key Dates

Applications open on Monday 19th October 2026
Applications close on Monday 30th November 2026 at 10am 
Auditions will be held in Bristol on Tuesday 16th and Wednesday 17th February 2027

How to apply

Please read our Information Pack and Frequently Asked Questions document for more information about applying.

We have tried to keep the application process simple. All you need to do to apply is: 

• Complete and submit the application form 
• Complete and submit an Equality and Diversity Form 

If you or anyone you know has any questions not covered in the information pack and FAQs document they can get in touch with us via our artistdevelopment@paraorchestra.com email address.