In My Life talks to Dame Evelyn Glennie

Richard talks to Dame Evelyn Glennie.

Evelyn grew-up in rural surroundings on the family farm, beginning her lifelong love of animals. She and her two brothers, Roger and Colin, had a modest and traditional upbringing (she still speaks Doric, the local dialect). Nobody suspected that the little girl running round with the chickens would become one of the world’s most renowned musicians. Yet, Evelyn showed creative flair from an early age.

Intensely focussed on pursuing a career as a solo percussionist, Evelyn left Scotland to continue her training in London. Initially unable to enter the Royal Academy of Music or the Royal College of Music, the Academy changed their mind about Evelyn’s deafness being a problem and offered her a second chance. Evelyn quickly proved to be a pioneering musician, developing relationships with performing groups around London and commissioning composers to write new repertoire for solo percussion. It was at the Royal Academy of Music that Evelyn met another highly influential teacher, the revered percussionist James Blades.

Evelyn’s career has be gifted with many nominations and awards In August she returned to the BBC Proms giving a portrait concert to celebrate her 50th year and decades of success as the world’s most famous solo percussionist.

To find out more about Evelyn go to her website
For tickets to her performance as part of the Deal Music and Arts Festival click here