The Virtual Reality Inclusive Music Makers (VRIMM) project was the continuation of “Immersion and Inclusive Music Technologies”, developed throughout 2018 at SARC.  The project promoted empathy using interdisciplinary human-centred methodologies and partnered with Drake Music NI, Hard Rain SoloistEnsemble, and BeAnotherLab. 

In the project our team developed a virtual musical instrument for a musician with cerebral palsy and designed an instrument for a blind musician, based on HTC Vive technologies. 

See article here: https://theconversation.com/how-were-designing-musical-instruments-with-the-help-of-disabled-musicians-and-vr-109119  

The project culminated in an immersive VR piece, entitled  “Embrace” - a short immersive experience about inclusion and embracing difference.  Produced at SARC, Queen’s University Belfast as part of the AHRC/EPSRC Next Generation of Immersive Experiences Programme 2018, designed by Prof Franziska Schroeder. Watch Embrace on https://www.youtube.com 

This project was funded by the Research and Partnership Development initiative for the Next Generation of Immersive Experiences,  Arts and Humanities Research Council and the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council.