In honour of Disability History Month (16 November – 16 December), Scala Radio is launching a new series hosted by Dame Evelyn Glennie as she explores access to classical music and what that means for people who experience disability.

The series called Access All Areas will ask what we can do to level the playing field for artists with different access needs. Evelyn started losing her hearing at the age of eight yet went on to become a household name as a world-renowned percussionist.

Across four Sunday evenings, Evelyn will share the music of composers with disabilities who she admires and create a space for a conversation about the future of truly accessible classical music.

Further to this, Scala Radio will celebrate the musicians, festivals, venues and organisations who are leading the way to a more accessible future and encourage an exciting, challenging and thought-provoking conversation around changing habits, changing technologies and changing spaces. With contributions from the National Open Youth Orchestra, BSO Resound, Unlimited Festival, Human Instruments and Wigmore Hall, Access All Areas will outline how much the classical music industry can benefit from making itself more access to performers and audience members with disabilities.

On the launch of this exciting new series, Scala Radio’s Programme Manager Jenny Nelson said “In honour of such an important month, Scala Radio is honoured to welcome Dame Evelyn Glennie to the station to present this special series. We believe it is crucial to highlight all talents in the music industry no matter their circumstance, and that music should be enjoyed by everyone. We hope this new series will bring to light the amazing works of artists with disabilities, and that it will inspire up-and-coming talent.”

The first episode is set to air on Sunday 6th November at 1800-2000. Listen to Scala Radio on your DAB digital radio, the Scala Radio app, on your smart speaker and at www.scalaradio.co.uk