Page 2 - SOUND.. MUSIC 1-LN

Evelyn‟s mother came to know about her daughter‟s deafness when at the age
eight, the latter was to give her performance on the4 piano in school but could not
hear her name being called. When her deafness was confirmed at the age of

eleven, the headmistress of her school suggested that she should be sent for deaf
children. But Evelyn was not the kind of girl who could be discouraged.

Once, when she was demotivated by the teachers from playing upon a Xylophone,
Ron Forbes, a great percussionist, came to her rescue. He observed great potential
in her and guided her on how to sense music through different parts of her body
without listening through ears. Under his able guidance, Evelyn learnt how to

develop sensitivity to music through different parts of her body. Feet. She managed
to sense musical notes through her skin, her hair, her fingers and even her bare feet

Evelyn now dedicated herself to music and participated in a youth orchestra in
United Kingdom. Afterwards she moved from orchestra to solo performances. She
got one of the highest scores in the history of the Royal Academy of Music when
she gave an audition for it. At the age of seventeen, she moved to the Royal

Academy for a three year course and bagged the topmost awards during her career.
With her unfaltering determination, she became the most eminent and most
demanded percussionist who could play proficiently a large number of instruments.
Not only did she speak flawlessly, but she also managed to learn French and basic
Japanese. In 1991, she received the prestigious „Soloist of the Year Award‟

presented by the Royal Philharmonic Society.

A person with a human attitude, Evelyn gave free concerts in prisons and hospitals.
With her efforts, she secured a significant place for percussion instruments in the
orchestra. In fact, Evelyn Glennie is a great inspiration for those who suffer from
physical disabilities.

key points

 Evelyn Glennie was 8, when first time her hearing disability was noticed by her
mother.
 At the age of 11, her disability was discovered at school.
 Wants to do career in Music, her teachers discouraged her.
 Fortunately she met Ron Forbes, the percussionist, who identified her
potential & supported in achieving her goal.
 He trained Evelyn to sense the music through different parts of our body.
 Suddenly she was excited to feel the vibrations in every part of her body.
 Evelyn followed him like an obedient student and in the meantime she had
learnt to open her body & mind to sounds and vibrations.
 After this, she never looked back.
 Evelyn joined the famous Royal Academy of Music, worked hard with strong
determination. Suddenly she got to top.
 In 1991, she bagged the Royal Philharmonic Society’s prestigious “Soloist of
the Year Award”