Overview
We Are All Musicians (WAAM) is an interdisciplinary community-engagement initiative established by Professor Jesse Stewart in Carleton’s Music program and is based on the belief that music-making is a fundamental human right. WAAM is committed to making music as broadly accessible as possible and has empowered people to engage in music making regardless of barriers such as age, musical training, socio-economic background, and physical or cognitive disability. Beginning in late 2023, WAAM will have its own dedicated space in the ARISE Building at Carleton University, where Jesse plans to design, build, and test adaptive and accessible musical instruments. This will include the development of an all-abilities accessible musical ensemble that has tentatively been coined as the WAAM Orchestra (WAAMO).
The Background
WAAM, at its core, aims to advance the accessibility of music. The project uses imaginative technologies like ‘adaptive use’ and ‘movement-to-music’ tools with traditional instruments to develop improvised musical exchanges between people. Through partnerships with local organizations and community groups WAAM also develops community-based projects focused on inclusive music-making. These projects are centered on creating opportunities for individuals from different social groups that are often excluded from music creation and education. As Sprott Students for Accessible Music Making, we believe that supporting the creation of an all-abilities accessible musical ensemble will help provide resources for more students to be a part of meaningful learning opportunities.
The Rollout
We are a group of Sprott Students looking to fundraise for We Are All Musicians (WAAM) as a part of our class project. Funds for this campaign will be sent to the WAAM fund on FutureFunder, and donations raised through this campaign will go toward equipment that will support the establishment of an all-abilities accessible musical ensemble as part of the We Are All Musicians project.
The Impact
Accessibility and inclusivity are central components of WAAM’s mission. By inviting individuals who have experienced barriers to music-making and researching the development of new musical technologies, Professor Jesse Stewart continues to make music broadly accessible. As Sprott students, we believe that by making music more accessible for all, We Are All Musicians will increase equity on campus and in the wider community.