23 Facts About Evelyn Glennie

Evelyn Glennie was selected as one of the two laureates for the Polar Music Prize of 2015.

Evelyn Glennie studied at Ellon Academy, Aberdeenshire and the Royal Academy of Music, London.

Evelyn Glennie was a member of the National Youth Orchestra of Scotland and the Cults Percussion Ensemble which was formed in 1976 by her school percussion peripatetic teacher Ron Forbes.

Evelyn Glennie conducts master classes, consultations and engages in motivational speaking.

Evelyn Glennie is a leading commissioner of new works for solo percussion.

Evelyn Glennie performed at the Opening Ceremony of the Olympic Games in London 2012, leading a thousand drummers in the opening piece of music And I Will Kiss, and playing the Evelyn Glennie Concert Aluphone in Caliban's Dream during the ceremony for lighting the Olympic cauldron.

Evelyn Glennie is a patron of the music charity Sound World.

On 7 April 2021, Evelyn Glennie was named as Chancellor of Robert Gordon University, succeeding Sir Ian Wood in July 2021.

Evelyn Glennie has been profoundly deaf since the age of 12, having started to lose her hearing at the age of 8.

Evelyn Glennie regularly plays barefoot during live performances and studio recordings to feel the music.

Evelyn Glennie contends that deafness is largely misunderstood by the public.

Evelyn Glennie explains that she taught herself to hear with parts of her body other than her ears.

On her website Evelyn Glennie published "Hearing Essay" in which she discusses her condition.

Evelyn Glennie was featured on Icelandic singer Bjork's album Telegram, performing the duet "My Spine".

Evelyn Glennie has collaborated with many other musicians including former Genesis guitarist Steve Hackett, Bela Fleck, Bobby McFerrin, Fred Frith, Mark Knopfler, The King's Singers and Kodo.

In 2018, Evelyn Glennie worked with Gregory Doran and the Royal Shakespeare Company composing the music for a production of Troilus and Cressida.

In 2020, Evelyn Glennie collaborated with the music charity Sound World, composing a new piece "The Grace of Silence" for their Coronavirus Fund for Freelance Musicians.

Evelyn Glennie composed some of the music for the film Sound of Metal directed by Darius Marder.

Evelyn Glennie is a prolific composer for the library music company Audio Network.

Evelyn Glennie was appointed to the Order of the Companions of Honour in the 2017 New Year Honours.

Evelyn Glennie owns in excess of 3500 percussion instruments from all over the world and is continually adding to her collection.

Evelyn Glennie is an Ambassador of Sistema Scotland and is President of Help Musicians.

Evelyn Glennie was appointed Music Rights Champion by the International Music Council in October 2016.