A Deaf Youth Orchestra!
Written by admin2 on August 28th, 2009Filed under: Themes, Deaf Jam, Irked Videos, Campaign Watch
Music and the Deaf was started 2 decades ago by a remarkable man named Dr. Paul Whittaker. Paul, who has a music degree from Oxford University, has been deaf since birth and profoundly deaf since the age of two. In 2007, he became an Officer of the British Empire. Oh yeah, and he trains choirs in his spare time.
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Watch a video of The Hi-Notes Ensemble Deaf Youth Orchestra’s mind-bogglingly beautiful performance at London’s famed Royal Albert Hall. The performers, all students of Music and the Deaf, developed and arranged the composition (called “Tutankhamun’s Curse”) all by themselves. The performance was conducted and directed by Mr. Danny Lane (who’s also profoundly deaf!):
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About Music and the Deaf:
Music and the Deaf’s aim is “to help people of all ages and degrees of hearing loss to access music and the performing arts through workshops, educational projects, talks and signed theatrical performances.” Music and the Deaf (registered UK charity #1000025) works closely with hearing-impaired services and with schools and Deaf centres to provide workshops and projects which are tailored to individual needs. Key projects help to deliver the music national curriculum to deaf young people in schools across the UK, whilst the provision of after-school activities and other workshops develops music provision in the wider world.
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Why have a Deaf Youth Orchestra?:
The orchestra is groundbreaking in many ways. It enables deaf young people to meet regularly and make new friends. They are given the opportunity to take part in orchestral playing with support from an experienced team of both deaf and hearing musicians. Tutors from the local music services learn valuable skills working directly with the deaf young musicians and Music and the Deaf through mentoring support. Within a year of being set up, the orchestra was premiered at the Venue, Leeds College of Music in Leeds with its own specifically commissioned piece written by renowned composer, David Bedford. The premiere was a very special evening which ended with a standing ovation by parents, families, friends and dignitaries.
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Watch a wonderful TV segment featuring Paul Whittaker that aired in the UK:
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How does the Deaf Youth Orchestra function?:
The Deaf Youth Orchestra rehearsals are run six times per year in different areas of West Yorkshire where the players live. A typical rehearsal begins with a drumming exercise which helps the players to perform in time with one another. This is followed by tutor led sectional rehearsals where the players practise their parts using their instruments. The exciting bit is the end of the rehearsal when all the players gather together to form the Deaf Youth Orchestra. Amazingly, they sound better every time they meet!
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*Any Deaf young person who plays an instrument and is interested in joining the orchestra, or if you are interested in featuring the Deaf Orchestra at your event…contact Danny Lane at danny@matd.org.uk.
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Learn more at matd.org.uk
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Bonus cartoon:
