Dame Evelyn Glennie Becomes Patron of the City Lit Percussion Orchestra

Acclaimed solo percussionist and City Lit Fellow Dame Evelyn Glennie has become the Patron of the City Lit Percussion Orchestra. To mark the occasion, she visited the College last Wednesday to collaborate with the musicians and pass on her expert insights.

The Percussion Orchestra is part of City Lit’s Centre for Learning Disability Education, in partnership with the Royal Academy of Music. Students with an ear for instruments can learn to play percussion and compose music as a group. During the event, musicians were able to share their stories with Evelyn and pick up some useful tips and tricks. 

Never one to sit around idly, Dame Evelyn wanted to celebrate her Patronage by performing. Sitting down with the musicians and volunteer helpers from the Royal Academy of Music, the group performed Terry Riley’s ‘In C’' in City Lit’s John Lyons Theatre.

The students were then treated to a masterclass from Dame Evelyn. She stressed the importance of “finding your own sound story." She also explained how to use sound both vertically and horizontally to develop a unique style.

The owner of over 3800 percussion instruments, all of which form part of The Evelyn Glennie Collection, Evelyn brought in some unique sticks and mallets, some of which she had made herself. These included homemade superball mallets and a set of Korean metal chopsticks. The Orchestra had a practice and plan to make their own instruments for the next time they get together.

A final jam with the Royal Academy of Music musicians finished off a fabulous afternoon that the musicians and tutor Alex Thomas will remember for a long time. 

“Our much-anticipated Percussion Orchestra session with Dame Evelyn Glennie exceeded our expectations in every way,” explained Alex Thomas.  “Meeting Evelyn and sharing ideas and experiences of making music before the afternoon class was so honest and inspiring.” ︽

Dame Evelyn Glennie is joining a distinguished cast of City Lit Patrons. Some of our other Patrons include writer Malorie Blackman, and singer Lulu.

Speaking on her the recent event, Dame Evelyn Glennie said, “To meet all the members of the Percussion Orchestra, witness their wonderful achievements, feed off their focus and dedication and to learn so much from the sheer sensitivity, commitment and expertise of Alex and the three Royal Academy of Music students meant it was a day I will not forget.”

She continued, “City Lit is providing such a valuable platform for each individual to develop far beyond the striking of a drum.”︽

Dame Evelyn Glennie has been profoundly deaf since the age of 12, but this has not stopped her performing. Recognised as the world’s first full-time solo percussionist, she has collaborated with some of music’s biggest names, such as Mark Knopfler and Björk. and performed at the Opening Ceremony of the 2012 Olympic Games here in London.

She is a highly celebrated musician, having won two Grammys, the Polar Music Prize, the Companion of Honour and was nominated for a BAFTA. She was awarded the Dame Commander of the British Empire in 2007.

Evelyn is the Founder of The Evelyn Glennie Foundation, whose mission it is to teach the world to listen, and the curator of The Evelyn Glennie Collection.

Evelyn is an alum of the Royal Academy of Music. She also became a City Lit Fellow in 2022. We are proud to have her as part of the college.

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