Poster James Rose
James Rose, who has cerebral palsy, uses a special baton to conduct an ensemble made up of disabled musicians.
Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra

UK orchestra makes headlines with ensemble for disabled musicians

England's Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra is making news as what is believed to be the first major orchestra to form an ensemble of disabled musicians, the BBC reports.

The group is led by James Rose, who has cerebral palsy and limited arm movement. He uses a special baton affixed to his head to conduct, fulfilling a lifelong wish as part of the orchestra's Change Makers project.

"Having the opportunity to fulfill that dream with one of the major orchestras is unbelievable," Rose says of his 18-month mentorship in the BBC's video.

Rose's ensemble is made up of local musicians whose disabilities include blindness and autism. The Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra says its initiative exemplifies the organization's "ongoing mission to be accessible to as many people as possible and transform lives through music."

Watch the BBC's video.

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