Pioneering Ensemble Call Out for New Performers

A pioneering orchestra which brings together disabled and non-disabled musicians is looking for new performers to join.

Awarded 'Best Ensemble' by the Royal Philharmonic Society in 2025, Paraorchestra is seeking professional level musicians aged 18 or over who are disabled, Deaf or neurodivergent, and based in the UK.

Applicants must be able to play to a high standard, but do not need to be working professionally - for example, if they are leaving education.

One of Paraorchestra's core objectives is to remove the barriers within the orchestral sector facing musicians identifying as disabled, Deaf or neurodivergent.

Arts Council England research in 2021 suggested that just 2% of the orchestral workforce identified in this way, suggesting that this community continues to be under-represented in the industry. Successful applicants to the callout can expect that the organisation will work closely with them to ensure they can perform at the highest levels regardless of access requirements.

They will join the award-winning ensemble, which has built an international reputation for bold and original contemporary orchestral work. Founded by Artistic Director Charles Hazlewood, Paraorchestra’s radical performances span different musical genres and artforms to create unforgettable live experiences.

This year, Paraorchestra has staged an acclaimed immersive performance of Steve Reich's Music for 18 Musicians, including sell out shows at Bristol Beacon as part of the BBC Proms, London's Southbank Centre and the Sonica Glasgow festival of audiovisual art and experimental music.

They have played at the Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts in New York and the No Limits festival in Hong Kong. Paraorchestra also performed its homage to Kraftwerk's legendary Trans Europe Express album at Bristol's Forwards Festival and brought SMOOSH! their popular parade of music and dancing onto the streets of Gloucester.

As well as the opportunity to perform alongside other Paraorchestra musicians in the UK and internationally, successful applicants will have access to the charity’s artist development programme Modulate. Designed to support the disabled members of the orchestra to fulfil their creative ambitions as artists and leaders, this unique training includes offering one-to-one support, small project grants, residencies and commissions.

"At Paraorchestra we're immensely proud to be an ensemble that is creating artistic work of the highest calibre reaching a younger, more diverse audience,” said Jonathan Harper, CEO at Paraorchestra.

“It is a cornerstone of our mission that this ensemble is committed to breaking decades old barriers for professional musicians that identify as disabled.

"Musicians who identify as Deaf, disabled and neurodiverse face numerous obstacles within the sector that can affect their creative and professional journeys. Paraorchestra is driven to create change and increase the opportunities available for this community.

“I would therefore encourage everyone to share this exciting opportunity to join some of the best musicians working today, who are bringing some of the most electrifying live music performances to audiences around the UK and internationally."

Applications are now open and close on November 30, 2026, at 10am. Musicians wishing to find out more can visit https://paraorchestra.com/