The in-person casting has been held! Over 100 people with intellectual disabilities and a talent for singing or the guitar, drums, bass or keyboard have signed up to take part in this musical adventure.
The A LA PAR Foundation, in its constant commitment to the full integration of people with intellectual disabilities and their active participation in society, is entering the world of music with Rock A LA PAR, a pioneering initiative of the A LA PAR Foundation in partnership with the Community of Madrid that seeks the inclusion and active participation of people with intellectual disabilities in society through music. More specifically, by means of the creation of the first rock band in Spain made up entirely of people with intellectual disabilities.
Artists David Summers and Pedro Andrea are accompanying the Foundation in this new musical adventure, which seeks to create a barrier-free artistic space. Entities such as Yamaha and the Ferrer Dalmau Foundation are also contributing to the project.
The initiative was presented in June at an event attended by the President of the Community of Madrid, Isabel Díaz Ayuso, Almudena Martorell, President of the A LA PAR Foundation, and David Summers, the sponsor of the initiative, who put the finishing touches to the event with a musical performance.
Since its presentation, the project has received over 100 applications from people interested in taking part in this unprecedented musical adventure. A jury of experts, headed by David Summers and Pedro Andrea as the project’s sponsors, selected the 25 candidates who took part in the second phase, the in-person casting.
A day full of excitement and talent
The in-person casting took place at the A LA PAR Foundation’s facilities in Montecarmelo (Madrid). The 25 candidates, selected from over 100 applications, demonstrated their artistic skills both individually and in groups in the course of a day full of emotion and talent at the Foundation’s facilities in Montecarmelo (Madrid).
David Summers, a singer and composer for Hombres G, Almudena Martorell, President of the Foundation, Pedro Andrea, a composer and professional guitarist, Javier Mojarrieta, a singer-songwriter and music teacher at the Foundation, Raúl González, a coordinator of Psychosocial Teams at the Foundation, and Tony Rodríguez, a drummer and percussionist, were tasked with evaluating each of the candidates. The event was also attended by Alejandra Serrano, managing director of Care for People with Disabilities, who didn’t want to miss out on such a special project.
Next steps
The organisation will announce the winners over the next few days. Once the band has been formed, the organisation of the repertoire of songs and rehearsals will begin to shape the new rock group. Pedro Andrea, accompanied by a team of professionals from the A LA PAR Foundation, will be responsible for guiding the group in this new adventure. The concerts will come later.
Photo gallery of the presentation
