# Evelyn Glennie

> Scottish percussionist and composer (born 1967)

**Wikidata**: [Q239275](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q239275)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Evelyn_Glennie)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/evelyn-glennie

## Summary
Evelyn Glennie is a renowned Scottish percussionist and composer born in 1967. She is celebrated for her groundbreaking work in the realm of percussion, blending classical and contemporary music. A key figure in expanding the percussion repertoire, Glennie has received numerous accolades, including the Polar Music Prize.

## Biography
- Born: July 19, 1965
- Nationality: United Kingdom
- Education: Royal Scottish Academy of Music and Drama, City of Edinburgh Council
- Known for: Innovative percussion techniques and compositions
- Field(s): Music, percussion, composition

## Contributions
Evelyn Glennie has composed and performed numerous works that redefine percussion's role in classical and modern music. Her compositions, such as "The Book of Five Rings" (1990), showcase her unique approach. She has collaborated with leading orchestras globally, premiering works like "Vernal Equinox" (1994). Glennie's advocacy for hearing health and her own profound deafness have inspired educational initiatives and performances that challenge perceptions of disability in music.

## FAQs
**What is Evelyn Glennie's most notable achievement?**
Evelyn Glennie is the first solo percussionist to receive a Grammy nomination for her 1993 album "The Garden of Earthly Delights." She also won the Polar Music Prize in 2020, recognizing her contributions to music.

**How does Evelyn Glennie's deafness influence her work?**
Despite being profoundly deaf since the age of 12, Glennie perceives music through vibrations, a method she has developed and advocates for. This unique approach has informed her compositions and performances, demonstrating the multisensory nature of music.

**Where has Evelyn Glennie performed?**
Glennie has performed with major orchestras worldwide, including the BBC Symphony Orchestra and the New York Philharmonic. She has also collaborated with artists across genres, from classical to contemporary.

**What educational initiatives has Evelyn Glennie supported?**
Glennie has worked extensively in music education, promoting percussion and accessibility in music. She has developed workshops and resources for both hearing and deaf musicians, emphasizing inclusivity.

## Why They Matter
Evelyn Glennie's innovative approach to percussion has expanded the genre's boundaries, introducing new techniques and repertoire. Her resilience in the face of deafness has redefined perceptions of disability in the arts, inspiring countless musicians and educators. By integrating technology and tactile feedback into her performances, Glennie has influenced both the technical and philosophical understanding of music creation and perception.

## Notable For
- First solo percussionist to receive a Grammy nomination (1993)
- Polar Music Prize laureate (2020)
- Honorary doctorates from multiple institutions
- Pioneering work in music education and accessibility
- Over 200 commissioned works for percussion

## Body

### Early Life and Education
Evelyn Elizabeth Ann Glennie was born on July 19, 1965, in Aberdeen, Scotland. She began learning piano at age 5 and percussion at 10. By 12, she had lost most of her hearing, adapting to perceive music through vibrations. Glennie studied at the Royal Scottish Academy of Music and Drama, graduating in 1986.

### Career Highlights
- **1985**: Began professional career, performing with the National Youth Orchestra of Scotland.
- **1990**: Premiered her composition "The Book of Five Rings" at the BBC Proms.
- **1993**: Released "The Garden of Earthly Delights," earning a Grammy nomination.
- **2000**: Appointed Dame Commander of the Order of the British Empire (DBE) for services to music.
- **2020**: Awarded the Polar Music Prize, often called the "Nobel Prize of Music."

### Artistic Innovations
Glennie's performances often incorporate electronic elements and visual art, as seen in her "In the Cool, Cool, Cool of the Evening" (2001). Her collaborations span genres, including work with composer Michael Torke and the Scottish Chamber Orchestra.

### Advocacy and Education
Through her charity, The Evelyn Glennie Trust, she supports music education and accessibility initiatives. Her book "The Art of Practicing" (1998) explores her unique approach to music and disability.

### Legacy
With over 200 commissioned works, Glennie has significantly enriched the percussion repertoire. Her influence extends beyond music, advocating for inclusivity and challenging traditional notions of ability. Institutions such as the Royal College of Music and the Juilliard School have recognized her contributions with honorary doctorates.

### Awards and Recognition
- **Polar Music Prize (2020)**
- **Grammy Nomination (1993)**
- **Honorary Doctorates**: University of Aberdeen, University of Edinburgh, and others
- **DBE (2000)**

### Technical and Collaborative Work
Glennie has worked with engineers to develop custom percussion instruments and vibration-sensitive performance technologies. Her 2012 collaboration with the London Sinfonietta, "The World of the Drones," exemplifies her fusion of traditional and modern musical elements.

## References

1. Integrated Authority File
2. BnF authorities
3. Musicalics
4. [Source](https://www.polarmusicprize.org/laureates/evelyn-glennie/)
5. [Source](https://www.homerton.cam.ac.uk/news/honorary-fellow-dame-evelyn-glennie-appointed-order-companions-honour)
6. Grammy Awards
7. [Royal Philharmonic Society Website](https://royalphilharmonicsociety.org.uk/awards/rps_music_awards/winners-to-date/instrumentalist)
8. [Source](https://www5.open.ac.uk/students/ceremonies/sites/www.open.ac.uk.students.ceremonies/files/files/Honorary%20graduate%20cumulative%20list(7).xlsx)
9. International Standard Name Identifier
10. MusicBrainz
11. Virtual International Authority File
12. CiNii Research
13. SNAC
14. IMDb
15. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013
16. IdRef
17. CONOR.SI
18. BBC Things
19. ISWC Network
20. YouTube API