This week, we share more about Dame Evelyn Glennie, a Scottish percussionist who has toured around the world as a soloist with a wide variety of orchestras and eclectic musicians. In this blog we share more about the unique way that Evelyn experiences music and more about her goals for the future.
- Hi Evelyn, please could you introduce yourself to our Signature readers.
My name is Dame Evelyn Glennie, I am the first full-time solo percussionist in the world. I also compose, give masterclasses/consultations, speeches and I curate The Evelyn Glennie Collection and I am the Founder of The Evelyn Glennie Foundation.
2. When did you first realise you had a passion for percussion?
I was introduced to percussion at the age of 12 at secondary school in Scotland. I immediately enjoyed it and developed quickly. At the age of 15 I decided that I would study music and become a professional musician with the goal to be a solo percussionist.
3. How do you personally experience music?
Almost everyone can physically feel vibration, whether you are hearing or deaf. I bring all of my senses together to help physically feel sound. In general, high sounds are felt in the upper body and lower sounds in the lower part of the body. Listening and hearing are different things- listening belongs to us all and we can all participate in that, whereas, hearing is something that is medically measured.
4. Out of all your performances, which has been your favourite?
I try not to pick and choose because they are all special for different reasons. However, leading one thousand drummers at the Opening Ceremony of the London 2012 Olympics was incredibly special. Also, giving the first ever Percussion Concerto in the history of the Proms at the Albert Hall in London was a historical moment. Ultimately, there are too many landmark performances to list!
5. What advice would you give to a young percussionist who is pursuing a career in music?
Believe in yourself, listen to your own spoken thoughts as a necessary and precious activity, keep your feet on the ground and learn to cope with good and less good news. I would tell individuals to keep a level head and never stop experimenting or being curious.
6. What has been the highlight of your music career or career in general?
The highlight has been sustaining the career as a solo percussionist and making it a legitimate career opportunity for the next generation.
7. What advice would you give to your younger self?
Keep listening and be true to yourself.
8. Finally, do you have any future goals that you aspire to achieve?
A large part of my focus is developing The Evelyn Glennie Foundation, whose mission is to Teach the World to listen. Also, the expansion of the Evelyn Glennie Collection is an ongoing mission. Both the Foundation and the Collection’s aims to connect with as wide a global demographic as possible.
Here at Signature we would like to thank Dame Evelyn Glennie for sharing her story. We hope that her success drives more deaf individuals to pursue their passion for music. We wish Dame Glennie the best for the future and look forward to more percussion.