Page 2 - SOUND... MUSIC1 -MODULE

( Percussionist - A person who plays musical instruments in which
the sound is produced by striking them e.g. drums, cymbals etc.)

Summary

This biological feature is a brief account of how Evelyn Glennie, a Scottish
musician, was able to achieve the greatest heights in the field of music
despite the hearing impairment she suffered at a young age of eight years.
Instead of yielding to the handicap, Evelyn pursued her dream and
eventually made her way to the Royal Academy of Music in London

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. 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.