Dame Evelyn Glennie, internationally renowned percussionist, is advancing a global mission to enhance listening skills across diverse sectors through the Evelyn Glennie Foundation. Operating in schools, universities, businesses, prisons, and healthcare institutions, the foundation emphasizes listening as a fundamental life skill essential in everyday communication.
“Listening is at the core of what we do, regardless of profession,” Glennie states. She highlights the importance of attentive listening in various settings, from office environments to casual social interactions.
In addition to educational outreach, Dame Evelyn oversees the Evelyn Glennie Collection in Cambridgeshire, a significant repository of percussion instruments and musical history. The collection includes over 3,800 percussion instruments alongside photographs, concert programs, letters, scores, costumes, tickets, and other memorabilia amassed throughout her career. Rather than a conventional museum, she regards the collection as a “journey of humanity focusing on communication.” Visits are available to schools and educators, while plans are in place to ensure the collection’s growth and preservation beyond her lifetime, with efforts to digitize and catalogue materials continuing.
Among the collection’s highlights are rare instruments such as a crystallophone, a glass xylophone from the late 18th and early 19th centuries. A particularly notable artifact is an Ugandan drum once owned by percussionist James Blades, which was used to record the BBC’s Morse code identification signal during the Second World War. Glennie describes Blades as “probably the most listened to drummer in the world,” emphasizing the drum’s historical significance.
Despite her global acclaim as a pioneering solo percussionist, including a Damehood awarded by the late Queen in 2007, Glennie remains humble about her achievements. Reflecting on the honour, she acknowledged both its surprise and the responsibility it carries, recognizing the support of those who contributed to her success.
Dame Evelyn is a longstanding advocate for improving access to music education and opportunities for disabled individuals. She emphasizes that everyone has the potential to make a positive impact, irrespective of their circumstances. Her personal experience informs her perspective on disability, noting that advancements in technology and inclusiveness have transformed societal understanding. Drawing a parallel to Beethoven, who composed despite profound hearing loss, Glennie suggests that modern tools allow for broader participation and redefinition of disability.
Her philosophy of inclusivity and storytelling through rhythm was showcased during the London 2012 Olympic Opening Ceremony, where she led a drumming performance conveying the Industrial Revolution’s intense energy. The event featured over 1,000 volunteer drummers, focusing on the emotional narrative rather than technical perfection.
More than four decades into her career, Dame Evelyn continues to pursue curiosity and practice, viewing sound as a fundamental element of human experience. “Sound and music should be part of our food, water, and shelter from birth,” she says, emphasizing its essential role in life.
Dame Evelyn Glennie is scheduled to perform with the Fantasia Orchestra and the BBC Singers during the BBC Proms Late Night Prom at the Royal Albert Hall on Tuesday, broadcast live on BBC Radio 3.