Supporting Musicians with Visual Impairments: The DVBS Music Group
The DVBS Music Group is a vibrant community of 126 members,the majority of whom are professional musicians. Our members include church musicians, music teachers, orchestral players, composers, and dedicated amateur enthusiasts – individuals at all stages of life, from students to retirees.
Our core mission is to foster full and active participation in society for musicians with visual impairments, built on a foundation of mutual support and professional growth. We achieve this through three key areas of focus:
1. Professional & Musical Support:
We recognize the unique challenges faced by visually impaired musicians. For example, conducting choirs and ensembles requires specific techniques and regular feedback from sighted colleagues. We address these challenges through regular seminars where members work on musical pieces with guidance from sighted experts, focusing on visual aspects of performance. We also provide support for music educators navigating the challenges of teaching in mainstream schools, where materials often rely heavily on visual aids.
2. Preserving & Promoting braille Music Notation:
The ability to read and write Braille music is crucial for independence and musical expression. Historically taught by blind music teachers in specialized schools, this skill is increasingly at risk as blind children integrate into mainstream education where teachers often lack Braille music expertise.
The DVBS actively works to ensure access to Braille music notation for all interested musicians and educators. We offer thorough advice and support nationwide, emphasizing the importance of sighted assistants and teachers understanding the notation. Thanks to services like DACAPO from the DZB Leipzig, converting music into Braille is now more affordable and accessible than ever.
our “Grading Network” – a collaborative group of musicians, librarians, and teachers – meets annually to share knowledge, select new music for transcription, and discuss the future of braille music. Our management team is happy to answer any questions about Braille music notation.
3. Community & Mutual Assistance:
The DVBS is a diverse group, bringing together musicians of all ages and experience levels. We foster a collaborative environment where members can share knowledge, offer advice, and learn from one another. Experienced musicians provide guidance to those newer to the field,while younger members bring fresh perspectives and energy to our ensembles.
A highly active mailing list facilitates ongoing communication and discussion on all topics related to music and performance.
We invite you to learn more and connect with us. Contact details can be found on the right under the heading “Contact”. We look forward to seeing you!
