From Xylophone Rehearsals to Standing Ovations
For Simba, music was always a passion; but finding a place to express it, grow, and be recognised took time.
When he joined City Lit’s Learning Disabilities Percussion Orchestra, everything changed. Simba discovered not only the joy of playing with others but the confidence and pride that comes from being treated like a true musician.
After half a decade performing in the Orchestra, his efforts have not gone unnoticed. He's gearing up to be one the keynote speakers at Learning Disability England's Annual Conference in March.
Find out more about his story and how he's gaining national recognition.
WATCH: Simba talking about his experience in the Percussion Orchestra at City Lit
Simba's Story
“I wanted to join the orchestra because I love music,” Simba says. “And as a songwriter, I wanted to have the experience of performing with others.”
Simba plays the xylophone in City Lit’s Percussion Orchestra, a group for adults with learning disabilities run in collaboration with the Royal Academy of Music. It’s a partnership that has given Simba a stage, a community, and a sense of purpose. “I’ve been in the orchestra for almost five years now,” he says. “We perform, we travel. Last year, we even went to Birmingham for a big conference.”
It was Simba’s first time travelling with the group. He remembers it clearly, the excitement, the nerves, and the feeling of being part of something bigger. At the heart of the experience is Alex, the orchestra’s teacher and conductor. “He teaches us what to play and helps us improve,” Simba explains. “He brings the best out of us.”
Simba has already performed alongside students from the Royal Academy, a huge milestone, but he dreams of going further. “My dream is to one day play with the Royal Academy Orchestra and write songs with them,” he says.
One of the most unforgettable moments so far was performing with one of his heroes, Dame Evelyn Glennie, the world-renowned percussionist. “We played piano together. I felt proud,” Simba says, visibly moved. “It showed me that musicians with disabilities deserve respect and recognition.”
He even received an award from Evelyn Glennie last year during the City Lit Awards 2024.
National Recognition
After five years of playing in the Orchestra, Simba is certainly a recogniseable figure at City Lit. His happy and friendly demeanor is hard to ignore!
But more recently, he's gained recognition outside of the College. He featured in Community Living Magazine, to talk more about his journey as part of the Orchestra. His experiences have culminated in being asked to speak at Learning Disability England's Annual Conference later this year.
The future is certainly bright for Simba and and City Lit is so proud of everything he's achieved.
Find Your Voice at City Lit
Everyone is uniquely wired, with our own passions and ways of expressing ourselves.
But, unlike Simba, many of us haven’t yet discovered our true voice or the confidence to share it. At City Lit, our courses are designed to help you find your voice by exploring your ideas, building your confidence, and unlocking the strengths you never knew you had.
Study Music at City Lit
City Lit offers a wide variety of music courses, from piano, singing, and instrumental workshops to music production, theory, history, and ensembles, for all levels and schedules.
