Evelyn Glennie facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Dame Evelyn Glennie CH DBE
Glennie at Moers Festival 2004
Background information
Birth name	Evelyn Elizabeth Ann Glennie
Born	(1965-07-19) 19 July 1965 (age 60) Methlick, Aberdeenshire, Scotland
Occupation(s)	Musician
Instruments	Percussion
Awards	Polar Music Prize (2015) Léonie Sonning Music Prize (2023)

Dame Evelyn Elizabeth Ann Glennie is a famous Scottish musician. She was born on July 19, 1965. She is known for playing many different percussion instruments. In 2015, she received the Polar Music Prize, which is a very important award for music.

Early Life and Music Beginnings

Evelyn Glennie grew up in Methlick, Aberdeenshire, in Scotland. The traditional music of Scotland was a big part of her early life. She first learned to play the piano and the clarinet. Later, she was inspired by other great musicians like Glenn Gould and Jacqueline du Pré.

She went to Ellon Academy and then studied at the Royal Academy of Music in London. Evelyn was also part of the National Youth Orchestra of Scotland. She played in the Cults Percussion Ensemble, which her teacher Ron Forbes started in 1976. They even made an album together!

Evelyn's Amazing Career

Evelyn Glennie travels all over the world to perform. She plays as a solo artist with many different orchestras. She also works with electric musicians. Evelyn teaches music classes and gives inspiring talks. She often asks composers to create new music for solo percussion.

Did you know she also plays the Great Highland Bagpipes? She even has her own special Scottish pattern, called a tartan, named "The Rhythms of Evelyn Glennie."

In 2012, Evelyn performed at the Opening Ceremony of the Olympic Games in London. She led a thousand drummers in the first song. She also played a special instrument called the Glennie Concert Aluphone during the lighting of the Olympic cauldron.

Evelyn is a supporter of the music charity Sound World. In 2021, she became the Chancellor of Robert Gordon University.

How Evelyn Hears Music

Evelyn Glennie has been profoundly deaf since she was 8 years old. But this does not stop her from being an amazing musician! She often plays barefoot so she can feel the music through her body.

Evelyn explains that many people misunderstand deafness. Her teacher, Ron Forbes, taught her to "hear" music using other parts of her body. For example, she could feel the high drum sounds from her waist up. She felt the low drum sounds from her waist down.

She wrote an essay called "Hearing Essay" on her website. In it, she talks about how she experiences sound. She also gave a TED talk in 2003 called "How To Truly Listen." Her book, Listen World!, shares more of her thoughts and speeches.

Since 2022, Evelyn has hosted the Evelyn Glennie Podcast. On her podcast, she talks with famous people about listening and sound.

Working with Other Artists

Evelyn Glennie has worked with many different musicians. She played on Icelandic singer Björk's album Telegram. They performed a song together called "My Spine." Evelyn also helped write the song "Oxygen."

She has collaborated with artists like Steve Hackett, Bela Fleck, Bobby McFerrin, and Mark Knopfler. In 2012, she worked with the band Underworld and director Danny Boyle. They created music for the London 2012 Olympic Games Opening Ceremony.

In 2018, Evelyn composed music for a play called Troilus and Cressida with the Royal Shakespeare Company. She also started touring with the jazz group Trio HLK.

In 2020, she wrote a new piece called "The Grace of Silence" for the charity Sound World. This song helped freelance musicians during the Coronavirus pandemic. It was released in 2021. Evelyn also helped compose music for the movie Sound of Metal.

Evelyn Glennie has also helped make sure music education gets enough support. In 2007, the UK government announced a large amount of money for music education. This happened because Evelyn and other musicians, like Sir James Galway, worked hard to make it happen.

Awards and Recognitions

Evelyn Glennie has received many awards for her incredible talent:

• Royal Philharmonic Society's Best Soloist of the Year (1991)
• Grammy Award (1989)
• Scot of the Year (1982)
• Queen's Commendation prize for all-around excellence (1985)
• Scotswoman of the Decade (1990)
• Best Studio and Live Percussionist from Rhythm Magazine (multiple times)
• Fellowship of the Royal Academy of Music (2002)
• Musical America Instrumentalist of the Year (2003)
• Percussive Arts Society: Hall of Fame (2008)
• Polar Music Prize (2015)
• Grammy Award for Best Classical Instrumental Solo (2014)
• Léonie Sonning Music Prize (2023)

She has also received many honorary doctorates from universities. She was made an Officer of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire (OBE) in 1993. In 2007, she became a Dame Commander of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire (DBE). In 2017, she was appointed to the Order of the Companions of Honour (CH).

Evelyn owns more than 3,500 percussion instruments from all over the world! She is always adding to her collection. She is also an Ambassador for Sistema Scotland and President of Help Musicians.

Music Albums

Films and Books

• Touch the Sound (2004): This film is about Evelyn Glennie and her music. It shows her working with musician Fred Frith.
• Good Vibrations: My Autobiography: This is Evelyn's own story about her life.
• Listen World!: A collection of Evelyn's speeches and writings.
• Listen: How Evelyn Glennie, a Deaf Girl, Changed Percussion: A book for children about Evelyn's journey.

Television Appearances

• ZingZillas (2010): Evelyn appeared on this children's show. She played tubular bells and a waterphone.
• Sesame Street (2001): She played percussion with Oscar the Grouch's band. She also had a scene with Linda Bove.
• 2012 Summer Olympics opening ceremony (2012): She led a group of 1,000 drummers.

See also

In Spanish: Evelyn Glennie para niños