Disabled Ravenshead college student scales musical barrier after helping invent gadget to play at home

While students from Portland College in Ravenshead are stuck at home many are unable to enjoy their favourite pastimes – but one young woman has kept her creative juices flowing thanks to a revolutionary new piece of music technology.
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The college is continuing to provide home learning assignments although some of its student enrichment activities are harder to recreate.

Jess Fisher, a member of the North Nottinghamshire Able Orchestra, with cerebral palsy, worked with a company called Digit Music to create an innovative controller, called Control 1, which is based on the joystick of an electric wheelchair and allows users to create and perform music.

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She said: “I have been using Control 1 during the coronavirus outbreak in many different ways, for example, I'm developing my skills of being able to play songs that I've written independently and develop more confidence within my playing.

Portland College student Jess is enjoying making music at home during the lockdown thanks to revolutionary new technology.Portland College student Jess is enjoying making music at home during the lockdown thanks to revolutionary new technology.
Portland College student Jess is enjoying making music at home during the lockdown thanks to revolutionary new technology.

“I'm also able to look at music I enjoy listening to and with support of the Digit music team, having that ability to play the song from the controller by picking an instrument to play, along with the song.”

Jess and her family have listened to music together ever since she was a child, and as her two sisters grew older they started performing too.

While Jess’s own passion for music grew, she was unable to join with her sisters due to her disability.

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Now that they can play together she said: “I’m very fortunate to be able to create music alongside my siblings.

“This allows us to bring our love in music together, bring us close as a family during this difficult time.”

Jess has been a member of the orchestra for several years, performing with other local disabled students using a huge array of technology and emerging music leaders to create music on an equal footing with other ensembles.

In that time, she has played at the Royal Albert Hall and relished the opportunity to express herself fully.

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Through the orchestra she came into contact with Si Tew from Digit and began working on the new gadget.

She said: “The Control 1 has helped me develop and express my talents, and appreciate the work that goes into playing any instrument.

“I’ve heard others experience it, but now I have a deeper level of understanding of the dedication you need.”