Music Magic for Students at Henshaws

Artmakers at Henshaws, the northern charity supporting people with sight loss and other disabilities, accessed their first ‘Inspire days’ from Paradox Orchestra.

Michael Sluman, Artistic Director of the Paradox Orchestra, gave a saxophone demonstration at the school’s Arts and Crafts Centre in Knaresborough.

The artmakers experienced an afternoon of Jazz from the orchestra’s saxophonist, Micheal Sluman. Henshaws hosts regular music workshops to help the visually impaired and adults with learning disabilities to develop their skills.

Michael Sluman, a Leeds Conservatoire graduate studying for a PhD at the Royal Academy of Music who has performed all over the world, said: “Music, particularly classical music, is proven to help people with disabilities to develop language, social and emotional skills, as well as fine motor skills. It’s also an outlet for self-expression, and works wonders on self-esteem and confidence.”

The workshop was organized by Henshaws as part of their ongoing efforts to provide unique and engaging experiences, helping their service users go beyond expectations. The charity offers a range of services for people with visual impairments and disability, including education, training, and support.

Tom Harte, Henshaws Charity Director, said: “We’re thrilled that Michael was able to come and perform and provide a bespoke workshop. It’s so important for our artmakers to have access to different types of music and cultural experiences, and we’re grateful to Michael for sharing his talents with us.”

Paradox Orchestra offers a vibrant platform for trained classical musicians, finding new audiences, playing packed gigs with renditions of RnB tunes, iconic rock tracks, and pop classics as well as collaborating with composers, artists, immersive visual installations and fashion houses. They have just recently secured funding to provide their community and education service, ‘Inspire Days’. “Henshaws are the first to access this bespoke service, we offer a range of 1:1 experiences right through to side by side schemes where students can sit next to our 60 piece orchestra, augmenting to over 100 musicians performing on stage, the first of which will be at Nottingham Royal Concert Hall on this December”.

Formed mainly of graduates from Leeds Conservatoire, its musicians have played with some of the biggest acts in pop, including Ed Sheeran, Marc Almond, Little Mix, Craig David, Sugarbabes, and Louis Tomlinson.

The Paradox Orchestra will perform 50 years of Pink Floyd, a candlelit concert in the stunning grounds of Conyngham Hall, next door to Henshaws Arts and Craft Centre in Knaresborough, on 3 September.

Henshaws’ 200 service-users in Yorkshire with disabilities from the ages of 17-70 will be invited to attend the rehearsals as part of the orchestra ‘Inspire Days’ scheme 3.30pm – 5.00pm. The orchestra will also donate 10 free tickets to the charity for the evening performance, starting at 7.30pm.

Henshaws works across the North of England and has its Head Office in Manchester.

Paradox Orchestra recently announced a charity partnership with Henshaws. Charity collection buckets will also be at their upcoming performances at Manchester and Leeds Minister in November. Audience members are invited to donate to Henshaws when they buy tickets to Paradox Orchestra performances throughout 2023.

50 years of Pink Floyd by Paradox Orchestra, 3 September, 7.30pm-10pm, Conyngham Hall, Knaresborough. Booking link: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/50-years-of-pink-floyd-performed-by-candlelight-strings-tickets-651032695317