HEAR US HERE Workshops
Baluji believes that participating in music-making can transform lives. Our workshops are for people who want to play music and also for those who like to be around music-making. Our aim is for people to have a good time in a musical environment.
We offer our HEAR US HERE workshops in schools, hospitals, care homes, day care centres, and a variety of community settings. These workshops offer a practical introduction to inclusive, multicultural music-making through the lived experience of blind and partially sighted professional musicians. Led entirely by members of the Inner Vision Orchestra, each session combines live performance with interactive participation, including clapping, singing, and rhythm-based activities.
The workshops focus on collaborative music-making, accessibility in the arts, and the importance of creating professional opportunities for disabled musicians.
Participants engage directly with the musicians in an informal and accessible environment, exploring how music can be experienced and created through listening, rhythm, and teamwork rather than sight. Sessions are designed to foster inclusion, empathy, and a greater understanding of barriers within the music and cultural sectors.
Overview:
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Sessions are usually delivered in duo or trio format, with larger ensembles available depending on budget.
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We offer a variety of ensembles, including:
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Classical/folk string trio
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Piano duo (four hands)
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Persian trio
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South Asian trio
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Traditional Indian music duo
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Baluji Shrivastav OBE can also act as musical director when not performing.
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All workshops are tailored to the needs, abilities and level of participants.
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Fully adaptable for children, young people, and adults.
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Group sizes: 5–30 participants.
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Session length: approximately 45–60 minutes.
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Interactive sessions may include clapping, singing, and collaborative music-making.
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Sessions can be delivered as:
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Interactive workshops
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Performances/concerts
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A combination of both depending on your programme or community needs.
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Testimonials
Sheila Gumbi (Senior Play Practitioner at The Log Cabin Charity)
The music session was amazing and was thoroughly enjoyed by both the children and staff. The children were engaged throughout, dancing along to the music and showing great enthusiasm for the instruments. The workshop generated a lot of excitement, and afterwards several children asked whether the musicians would be coming back again. Music is one of the key interests of many of the children and young people we support, and this session provided a valuable, inclusive, and joyful experience that they will remember for a long time.
George Ferguson (Henshaw's)
The opportunity for Henshaw’s visually impaired young people and adults to take part in this workshop was very rewarding. It was an absolute pleasure and privilege to meet Baluji and Linda. We enjoyed the sessions so much, we are looking forward to welcoming them for future workshops in the Greater Manchester area, so that more of our Henshaw's services users will be able to take part.
Bina Padia (Barnet Association For The Blind coordinator)
It was incredibly special for our VIP Coffee Morning to be entertained by such talented musicians. Their selection of beautiful cultural songs was wonderful, and the entire session was incredibly interactive. The high energy they brought into the room was infectious and created a joyful, empowering atmosphere for everyone there.
A particular highlight for us was how the musicians encouraged and supported one of our service users, who felt inspired to volunteer and sing a song in Russian. We would love to have them back in the future!
Adi Latif (Inner Vision Orchestra musician)
Performing at the Memory Café for the Age UK community was such a beautiful experience. The organisers couldn't have been more welcoming and made us feel right at home. The audience were everything we could have hoped for—so engaged throughout—and it was wonderful to share stories behind the music and see how our programme sparked memories and emotions. After the performance, people asked such thoughtful questions, and several came up to tell us how much they had enjoyed the afternoon. It was a genuinely moving experience, and one I'll remember for a long time.
Takashi Kikuchi (Inner Vision Orchestra musician)
We were greatly energised by the audience at the Memory Café telling their stories and feelings. We were honoured to have the opportunity to thank our elders through music.
Suzie Simons (Eye Matter Founder and Coordinator)
Ziad’s online concert with Eye Matter was a huge success. The music was uplifting and created a wonderfully positive atmosphere throughout the evening. Ziad is an exceptionally talented musician, and the concert was a brilliant introduction to Lebanese music for our members. Thank you for such an enthusiastic and energetic performance. We’re also grateful to Eye Matter for arranging the concert on Zoom, making it possible for those of us outside London to enjoy this wonderful cultural experience.
Ziad Sinno (Inner Vision Orchestra musician)
This was one of the best online concerts I have ever performed. The audience was incredibly interactive—they were eager to dance, and some even joined from their gardens, making the most of the beautiful weather that day. It was especially heartwarming to see members of the Lebanese community in the audience, who knew every song and sang along throughout the performance.
Daisy Anna Lees (Founder Director of Arts La'Olam)
The musicians were very brilliant and they expertly tailored the workshops to the audience
Alice (Blind Ambition team member)
The musicians delivered such a passionate and energetic session, we really enjoyed hearing about their experiences, their music and the work of the Baluji Music Foundation.
Event type:
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Baluji Shrivastav OBE: Flamenco Interactions
Fri 15 Nov 2024
The Cut, Suffolk, IP19 8BY
Special concert with renowned multi-instrumentalist Baluji Shrivastav OBE on sitar and virtuoso flamenco guitarist Ignacio Monteverde, accompanied on tabla by Yousuf Ali Khan with traditional flamenco dance by Lourdes Fernandez.
