Power NI has donated £1,000 to Drake Music NI, enabling the charity to bring its cutting-edge Mi.Mu Gloves technology to hundreds of participants right across Northern Ireland.
Awarded through the energy provider’s Brighter Communities initiative, the support will go directly toward the introduction of the state-of-the-art wearable musical instruments.
Dubbed the world’s most advanced wearable musical instrument for expressive creation, composition and performance, the gloves – created by singer-songwriter Imogen Heap –
– allow users to compose and control music through various hand and finger movements.
By tracking an individual’s gestures and converting these into digital sounds, the gloves open new doors for those for whom musical instruments are otherwise inaccessible.
Ashleigh O’Neill – the Senior Marketing and Communications Executive at Power NI – said: “Drake Music NI is championing inclusiveness in the arts by ensuring that everyone – regardless of their ability – gets the opportunity to both make and shape music.
“Their work shows that creativity belongs to all of us, and we are proud to support the introduction of the Mi.Mu Gloves as these will help open even more pathways for people across Northern Ireland to express themselves musically. It is an inspiring step towards a more inclusive and accessible creative community,” added Ashleigh.
Drake Music NI is a national charity renowned for pioneering inclusive music-making by blending technology and creativity. It supports people of all ages and abilities, including those with physical and cognitive disabilities, to create, collaborate, and perform music.
The Mi.Mu Gloves are going to be integrated into Drake Music NI’s accessible workshops in Belfast, Newry and several other Northern Ireland locations. More than six hundred participants are expected to benefit from a gesture-based technology that promotes inclusive collaboration, confidence and creative expression.
Dr Michelle McCormack – the Chief Executive Officer of Drake Music NI – added: “This support from Power NI will allow us to reach more people with transformative music technology.
“The Mi.Mu Gloves offer a revolutionary way for individuals, with a wide range of abilities, to create music, share their voice, and be heard. It is about giving people the freedom to express themselves on their own terms.”
Find out more on how Power NI is energising local communities.
