| Biography | Rose originally trained in broadcasting and has produced a number of films, as well as being an accomplished performer and actor who has worked with Graeae Theatre and performed in the London 2012 ceremonies. For the last four years he has been training as a composer and conductor.
In 2012, he began adapting his head pointer to work as a conductors baton. Rose recalls that he first had the idea some 18 years previously after getting a head pointer to help him operate computers at age 9: after a few weeks of using the head pointer, I began thinking as to whether I could conduct music using my head
as you do!
Although the initial prototype worked, allowing Rose to conduct a string quartet, the head pointer covered his face. With the advice of fellow composer and conductor John Lubbock a second prototype was devised allowing Roses chin to show his face; an important adaption considering the emotion displayed by a conductor is essential in directing the other performers.
However, the aluminium construction was heavy, would become unbalanced and caused Rose headaches. Going back to the drawing board for a third time, Rose made a design using plastic materials and baton element protruding from one side, which also did not obscure his face. Rose would like to improve the aesthetics of this latest design but it works from a practical perspective.
Armed with his new headgear, Rose is ready to tackle ever bigger and better conducting projects. With the help of a pending Grants for the Arts bid, Rose hopes to take his conducting to the next level by working with a string quartet at the Royal Academy of Music, in partnership with established conductors, Sian Edwards and John Lubbock in February 2016.
Whatever the outcome of the bid, DAO will be following the progress of this budding talent, and Rose will be chronicling his ongoing journey in a series of forthcoming DAO blogs.
James Rose, who has cerebral palsy, leads the group Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra, thought to be the first professional orchestra in the world to form an ensemble of disabled musicians.James Rose does not have control of his arms so uses a baton attached to his head to lead the musicians. |