Accessible Music Concert with the EyeHarp
Contra el genocidi i contra la violació dels drets humans, a Gaza i arreu del món
Peace comes when you talk to the person you most hate. And that’s where the courage of a leader comes.
Desmond Tutu (1931-2021), first recipient of an honorary doctorate from UPF
These words, spoken by Desmond Tutu, the first person ever to be awarded an honorary doctorate by UPF, are more applicable today than ever. The UPF condemns, and will always condemn, the use of violence to settle disputes. At UPF, we advocate approaching political or territorial conflicts based on dialogue and respect for all peoples and minorities.
As a university, we also want to show our support to the academic community in countries at war. Universities and scientific institutions are more necessary than ever in these regions. Access to education and the promotion of critical thinking, in the context of strong independent institutions, are the way to ensure the informed debate and reflection that can open the door to new avenues for finding solutions.
At UPF, we are aware of the university community’s concern for the human rights violations we are seeing in the conflicts around us. That is why on this website you will find information about campaigns and actions related to current conflicts, as well as opinion pieces and institutional statements. We also offer a dedicated e-mail address – [email protected] – to contact the university and let us know about your interests and concerns.
Accessible Music Concert with the EyeHarp
On October 20th we present the result of the MUSA: Musica Accesible, a collaboration between the MTG and Phonos with the support of Obra Social La Caixa and Petites Grans Idees.
The project has the objective of facilitate the development of musical skills to a group of people with motor disabilities by using the accessible digital instrument EyeHarp, an instrument that allows to play music with the gaze or the head. During the project, EyeHarp users have played together with other musicians to prepare a concert that will integrate the EyeHarp with different acoustic instruments. The purpose of the project is to improve the autonomy of the participants through making them able to play a musical instrument.
The project
MUSA: Música Accesible is a project for social inclusion that seeks to break barriers in musical practice thanks to new technologies. This project, coordinated by the Phonos Foundation in collaboration with the Music Technology Group (MTG) of the Universitat Pompeu Fabra, has the participation of two entities that work with people with cerebral palsy: Fundació Catalana de Paràlisi Cerebral and Fundació Llars de l’Amistat Chesire. On the other hand, the project also counts with music institutions where teachers and students join the project to create musical ensembles together with the EyeHarp: the EMMCA (Escola Municipal de Música Centre de les Arts de l’Hospitalet) and Escola de Municipal Música i Dansa de Sta Perpètua de Mogoda. MUSA project has been funded by Obra Social La Caixa as part of theArt For Change program and the microfunding program Petites Grans Idees of the UPF.
The EyeHarp
The EyeHarp is a digital instrument developed by the MTG research group. This facilitates people with severe motor disabilities to play music through their eyes. One of the objectives of the instrument and the project is to allow users to play in a music group, along with other musicians, because the EyeHarp is an instrument that can emulate any sound of a classical or modern instrument.
The concert
On October 20, participants in the project will play several pieces with the EyeHarp that they have been preparing along with other instruments. The concert will take place at the Sala Aranyó of the Universitat Pompeu Fabra at 12 PM.
MUSA concert
Saturday 20th October 2018, 12h
Sala Aranyó
C/ Tanger 122, Barcelona
Free entrance
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