Dame Evelyn Glennie
LightNews LightNews
banner
dameevelynglennie.bsky.social
Dame Evelyn Glennie
@dameevelynglennie.bsky.social
91 followers 7 following 86 posts
Solo percussionist, composer, founder of The Evelyn Glennie Foundation and The Evelyn Glennie Collection, and host of The Evelyn Glennie Podcast. https://linktr.ee/dameevelynglennie
Posts Replies Media Videos
dameevelynglennie.bsky.social
1/3 I am delighted to be featured in the latest issue of SoulKind. It was such a joy to welcome the dedicated, talented SoulKind team, Jamie + Dave, to explore The Evelyn Glennie Collection, a space that holds so many memories, instruments, and stories gathered over a lifetime of sound + discovery.
Image description: a colour photo of SoulKind, Issue 04, open at a double-page photograph of Evelyn with an antique glass harmonica, from The Evelyn Glennie Collection. The glass harmonica found its way to Evelyn via a neighbouring farmhouse from her childhood home in Aberdeenshire. The magazine is placed upon the surface of the glass harmonica, which has a wonderfully warm, textured appearance due to being extensively used as a coffee table (by its previous owners!).
November 6, 2025 at 12:24 PM
dameevelynglennie.bsky.social
Thank you to the Trustees of @evelynglenniefd.bsky.social:
evelynglenniefd.bsky.social The Evelyn Glennie Foundation @evelynglenniefd.bsky.social · 15d
This Trustees’ Week, we’re celebrating some of the incredible trustees shaping The Evelyn Glennie Foundation. Thank you to our board for shaping a future where listening transforms lives.

#TrusteesWeek #TeachTheWorldToListen

Detailed image descriptions of the 4 images available in Alt Text
Frame 1: Yellow background with the words: Trustees' week. Thank you to our trustees! This Trustees’ Week, we’re sharing what inspires some of our trustees — and why they believe in our mission to teach the world to listen. Frame 2: A photo of Gem, who is standing and speaking at a podium, wearing a short-sleeved dress with a black-and-white abstract pattern. She has shoulder-length straight hair and is gesturing with both hands slightly raised. Around her neck is a white lanyard with a visible name badge that reads “Gem Fountain.” The background is softly lit with neutral-coloured panels. Below reads Meet our Trustees: Gem Fountain. “Parenting a deaf child taught me that true listening means meeting people where they are. That’s why I was inspired to join. It’s an opportunity to highlight the many ways we can listen to someone — and the transformative effect that has on people, relationships, and society.” Frame 3: A photo of Gethyn, a man with short, neatly styled grey hair and stubble is wearing a black button-up shirt over a black top. The background is plain and light-coloured, a simple, professional portrait setting. Below reads: Meet our Trustees: Gethyn Williams: “In a society where division too often dominates, I believe listening is one 
of the most powerful tools we have 
to restore connection and move 
forward together.” Frame 4: A photo of Katie, a woman with short, straight brunette hair wearing a light pink top with a black and white leopard print pattern, standing indoors. The background is softly blurred, showing a modern setting with a television screen displaying a figure and some orange seating. Below reads Meet our Trustees: Katie Booth “My passion for active listening — truly being present to make others feel 
valued and heard — is what drew me 
to the organisation. Learning to "block out the noise" is a powerful skill. I wanted to support a local charity with the potential for such a profound global impact through the power of sound 
and communication.”
November 5, 2025 at 4:03 PM
dameevelynglennie.bsky.social
Time for a coffee break. Ah, I wonder if coffee beans would work inside the Kashaka?!

---

Video description in Alt Text
November 4, 2025 at 1:46 PM
dameevelynglennie.bsky.social
Light. Listen. Feel the beat.
Warming up for Halloween. Let your lantern glow, and let the music protect your soul.
Happy Halloween!

Detailed image description included in Alt Text.
Image description: A colour photo, mainly in shade / darkness, of a pumpkin lantern, lit from within, with spooky eyes, a triangular nose, and a crooked toothy smile in warm oranges, against a very dark evening, taken in Evelyn's garden this week. The lantern looks like a carved pumpkin but is orange ceramic. Although a little scary, we would describe it as friendly looking!
October 29, 2025 at 3:55 PM
dameevelynglennie.bsky.social
Please enjoy the latest clip from my read-through of 'Listen: How Evelyn Glennie, A Deaf Girl, Changed Percussion'.

To view the full video on YouTube, visit the link here: youtu.be/vNVMZLx-jX8

#EvelynGlennieReadsListen

Video description in Alt Text.
October 23, 2025 at 9:22 AM
dameevelynglennie.bsky.social
1/3 A new chapter begins! I’m deeply honoured to step into the role of Patron of Shakespeare at the Towers, following in the formidable footsteps of Dame Norma Major. Her legacy of support and passion for this extraordinary organization is one I will strive to uphold.
October 21, 2025 at 3:30 PM
dameevelynglennie.bsky.social
1/3 A new chapter begins! I’m deeply honoured to step into the role of Patron of Shakespeare at the Towers, following in the formidable footsteps of Dame Norma Major. Her legacy of support and passion for this extraordinary organization is one I will strive to uphold.
Image description: A colour photo of Evelyn (left) and Dame Norma Major (right). They are stood in room and behind them we can see a painted white brick wall, as they stand on a dark wooden floor with a deep matching skirting board. Both smiling towards the camera. Evelyn has her long, silver grey hair worn loose, and is wearing a black top, black trousers, white trainers and a purple water-fall style asymmetrical lavender-mauve purple jacket with fleece lining and cuffs, as she clasps her hands together in front of her. Norma has short, silver grey hair styled in gentle waves, and is wearing a long sleeved champagne satin shirt, and pale plum knitted body warmer / vest top, trousers and matching trainers, with a gold necklace, watch and rings. She is gently holding her hands in front of her.
October 21, 2025 at 3:27 PM
dameevelynglennie.bsky.social
Please enjoy the latest clip from my read-through of 'Listen: How Evelyn Glennie, A Deaf Girl, Changed Percussion'.

To view the full video on YouTube, visit the link here: youtu.be/vNVMZLx-jX8

#EvelynGlennieReadsListen

Video description in Alt Text.
October 8, 2025 at 3:17 PM
dameevelynglennie.bsky.social
A new arrival! Evelyn is going up in the world...

Detailed video description available as alt text.
October 2, 2025 at 3:10 PM
dameevelynglennie.bsky.social
Cross-posting from @evelynglenniefd.bsky.social:
evelynglenniefd.bsky.social The Evelyn Glennie Foundation @evelynglenniefd.bsky.social · Oct 2
We are working on something special with City Lit — and yes, listening is at the heart of it. Here is Founder Dame Evelyn Glennie with trustees Gethyn and Gem on a recent site visit. Watch this space!

#TeachTheWorldToListen #TogetherWeListen
Image description: A photo of three people smiling for a selfie in the lobby of the City Lit building, outside the John Lyons Theatre. On the left is Gethyn, a man with short grey hair and a trimmed beard, wearing a dark jacket. In the middle is Dame Evelyn Glennie, a woman with very long, straight, silvery-grey hair, wearing glasses, a dark outfit, and a fluffy grey coat. On the right is Gem, another woman with long dark hair tied back, wearing glasses and a denim-style shirt. Behind them, you can see the entrance to the theatre. The ceiling has a decorative patterned structure. There is a person seated in the background near a window, and outside the window you can see a street scene.
October 2, 2025 at 1:48 PM
dameevelynglennie.bsky.social
Making sure my travelling partner has water for our journey to Bristol as we prepare for our fundraising Listen In event at St George's Bristol tomorrow with The Bristol Ensemble.

ID: a colour photo of sculptural double bowled waterphone rests on a car set, with a plastic water bottle.
Photo description: a colour photo of sculptural double bowled waterphone - officially called the Evelyn Glennie Hypersteller Waterphone by Sławek Janus - rests on a car set, with the car door showing in the background. In the foreground, at the bottom of the photo, we can just about see a plastic water bottle.
September 23, 2025 at 2:04 PM
dameevelynglennie.bsky.social
Sharing from @evelynglenniefd.bsky.social :
evelynglenniefd.bsky.social The Evelyn Glennie Foundation @evelynglenniefd.bsky.social · Aug 28
What if your team could connect more deeply — simply by learning to listen?

Our inclusive team-building sessions, offered in-person or online, help organisations strengthen collaboration, build empathy, and improve communication.

Start a conversation: bit.ly/3JAHgXu

#TeachTheWorldToListen
A woman with shoulder-length dark hair leans forward, concentrating as she strikes a percussion instrument with a colourful mallet. Dame Evelyn Glennie, who has long white hair and glasses, sits in the background, giving guidance or instruction. The setting is a music room filled with drums and percussion instruments. A small group of people are sitting together in a circle, playing drums. Their hands are mid-motion, striking the drum surfaces. The atmosphere looks relaxed and cheerful — one man is smiling as he plays, while a woman next to him concentrates on her drumming. The drums are large, traditional-style instruments with taut animal-skin tops and rope-tied sides. The group is indoors, with soft lighting, chairs, and musical instruments in the background.
August 28, 2025 at 3:19 PM
dameevelynglennie.bsky.social
Cross-sharing from @evelynglenniefd.bsky.social:
evelynglenniefd.bsky.social The Evelyn Glennie Foundation @evelynglenniefd.bsky.social · Aug 20
Yesterday was #WorldHumanitarianDay. We’ve been reflecting on how listening — truly listening — can help us respond to others with care and empathy. Those who help others often carry heavy stories. Listening is one way we can support them too.

What does real listening mean to you?
A circular image of two hands reaching towards eachother against a pink sky sits on a pink background. Text reads: “Listening is a humanitarian act. This World Humanitarian Day, we’ve been reflecting on how listening — truly listening — can help us respond to the needs of others with care, empathy and attention.” An arrow icon appears in the bottom right corner. Pink background. Black text reads “1. From frontline aid workers to volunteers offering emotional support, those who care for others often carry heavy stories. Listening is one way we can support them.” Curved lines appear in the bottom right corner. Pink background. Black text reads “2. Listening to those that are overlooked. In times of crisis, it’s easy to focus on headlines and miss the quieter voices — those offering help, holding space, or simply showing up. Listening helps us notice them.” Curved lines appear at the top. Pink background. Black text reads “3. Listening to build a humanitarian mindset. It’s not about hearing — it’s about being present, open, and willing to understand. Listening helps us respond with compassion, 
wherever we are.” Curved lines appear at the bottom.
August 20, 2025 at 3:28 PM
dameevelynglennie.bsky.social
The Giant Cymbal, created by Steve Hubback, in action! Please enjoy this brief clip as I explore sonic possibilities using some home-made Super Ball mallets, with the cymbal placed on top of a large timpani.

You can find a longer video here:
bit.ly/4fpOQ33

I hope you are as enthralled as I am.
August 7, 2025 at 4:36 PM
dameevelynglennie.bsky.social
Are you curious to experience the sound of this extraordinary sculptural cymbal? Visit my socials on Thursday!

Image description: A colour photo of Evelyn and a huge sculptural cymbal - detailed version in Alt text.
Image description: A colour photo of Evelyn and a huge sculptural cymbal. Evelyn is wearing a pale blue hoodie over a grey t-shirt, black trousers and grey trainers that we can’t see, because she is knelt on the floor, on blue carpet tiles, against a background of percussion instruments of all shapes and sizes. Her long grey hair is loosely held to one side by a silk scrunchie which we also can’t see. This is because, in front of her, she is holding up an 89cm / 35inch sculptural cymbal, with amazing etched patterns in the textured hammered metal work, known as ‘The Giant Cymbal’, created by Steve Hubback.
August 5, 2025 at 1:07 PM
dameevelynglennie.bsky.social
Sharing from @evelynglenniefd.bsky.social:
July 31, 2025 at 3:23 PM
dameevelynglennie.bsky.social
What a fun afternoon I had yesterday, welcoming two of the lovely @qi.com Elves for a dig around #TheEvelynGlennieCollection! Watch this space… I wonder what they unearthed…
A colour photo of (left to right) Lydia, Evelyn, and Leying. Lydia has brown hair which she wears down, and is wearing a scientific / space based motif a-line dress, with black tights and black shoes. Evelyn is wearing her grey hair loose, and has a multi-toned brown, cream, grey and pink floral top and black trousers with grey trainers. Leying also has her long brown hair worn loose, an is earing a black jumpsuit with maroon red flat shoes. All three are facing the camera and smiling broadly, whilst stood in front of blue shelves which host a huge array of percussion instruments as part of The Evelyn Glennie Collection.
July 30, 2025 at 12:36 PM
Reposted by Dame Evelyn Glennie
evelynglenniefd.bsky.social
Our volunteer Penelope has uncovered the stories behind the music in The Evelyn Glennie Collection.

Can you help us preserve this legacy? We’re looking for volunteers!

Link: bit.ly/4lNe79E

Image descriptions included as Alt text.
Frame 1: Green background with dark text and decorative elements evoking soundwaves. Text reads: “Volunteer stories, Listening Between the Lines: Volunteer Penelope Tolmie, on unearthing letters from 
The Evelyn Glennie Collection.” A small arrow icon appears in the bottom right corner. Frame 2: Quote: ““The road to getting a piece written, published and performed is clearly not without its problems” from Penelope Tolmie,
Volunteer,
The Evelyn Glennie Collection. Frames 3 and 4: A flat-lay image showing a collection of handwritten and typed letters, postcards, and notes arranged on a surface. The correspondence includes both personal and professional messages, with visible names such as James MacMillan and Rosehill Theatre. Some letters are typed on letterhead, while others are handwritten in blue ink. The materials vary in size and format, reflecting decades of communication between Dame Evelyn Glennie and composers around the world. Frames 3 and 4: A flat-lay image showing a collection of handwritten and typed letters, postcards, and notes arranged on a surface. The correspondence includes both personal and professional messages, with visible names such as James MacMillan and Rosehill Theatre. Some letters are typed on letterhead, while others are handwritten in blue ink. The materials vary in size and format, reflecting decades of communication between Dame Evelyn Glennie and composers around the world.
July 24, 2025 at 11:03 AM
dameevelynglennie.bsky.social
Resonate 2 for Spitfire is being forged. How many microphones does it take to capture the magic of my teeny tiny music box on the timpani? We are being curious!

Photo Description in alt text.
Photo Description: a very small music box with a clear body and silver metal innards, with an external crank handle, rests on top of a large timpani. Above and around it, a huge array of microphones are placed carefully, mostly aimed at the music box and timpani head.
July 24, 2025 at 10:03 AM
dameevelynglennie.bsky.social
Many weird and wonderful instruments from my Sound Forge, now transported to London for the creation of Resonate 2 with Spitfire. A week of unearthing, sculpting and forging sounds in unlikely ways!
July 23, 2025 at 1:16 PM
dameevelynglennie.bsky.social
Thank you all so much for the birthday wishes many of you have sent! I had such a wonderful birthday gathering on Saturday, with good friends, delicious food and the most stunning (and tasty!) cake. Although I can’t share a slice with all of you, I thought you might appreciate a couple of photos…
Evelyn is stood smiling towards the camera beside the birthday cake. The birthday cake which consists of ‘The Rhythms of Evelyn Glennie’ tartan as the base along with a bell shaped as an apple and a pair of Evelyn’s signature ProMark mallets, a Basle (Swiss) Snare Drum as the main cake, and decorated on top with an Elephant bell, a ‘Pink Panther’ bell, a ‘wooden’ pig guiro with stick, and a cat – all the decorations were edible and representations of items from The Evelyn Glennie Collection (except for the cat!). The original items alongside their icing equivalents. A selection of birthday cards, located on Evelyn’s kitchen counter.
July 21, 2025 at 11:21 AM
Reposted by Dame Evelyn Glennie
evelynglenniefd.bsky.social
World Listening Day is on 18th July, a celebration of the power of listening, both to people and to our surroundings. We’ve created 3 simple exercises to help you explore your sound environment—on your own, with others, or in your community.

Read the full blog: bit.ly/46Orvpg
A person with long hair is shown in profile, gazing into the distance with blurred lights in the background. The upper half of the image is circular and set against a yellow backdrop. Below, text reads: “World Listening Day is on the 18th July. Try these 3 simple listening exercises and discover how to tune in to your surroundings: alone, with others, or in your community...” A small arrow icon appears in the bottom right corner. A graphic with a yellow background features a black circle containing the number “1” in white. Below, bold black text reads “Listen alone.” Instructions follow: “Sit outside at dawn or dusk. Close your eyes. Listen for 10–15 minutes. Note what you hear and feel. Notice the biodiversity around you.” Curved lines appear in the bottom right corner. A graphic with a yellow background features a black circle containing the number “2” in white. Below, bold black text reads “Listen together.” Instructions follow: “Get together with friends or family. Sit in silence for 5 minutes, then share what each person noticed. What did others hear and feel that you didn’t?” Curved lines appear at the top. A graphic with a yellow background features a black circle containing the number “2” in white. Below, bold black text reads “Listen for inclusion.” Sit in a space and listen. Who is it sonically designed for? Who might be excluded? How can we make soundscapes more inclusive?” Curved lines appear at the bottom.
July 17, 2025 at 10:27 AM
dameevelynglennie.bsky.social
Please enjoy the latest clip from my read-through of 'Listen: How Evelyn Glennie, A Deaf Girl, Changed Percussion'.

View the full video on YouTube here: youtu.be/vNVMZLx-jX8

#EvelynGlennieReadsListen
July 15, 2025 at 3:41 PM
dameevelynglennie.bsky.social
Rudiments are fundamental in drumming, and also make striking artwork!
Image description: Evelyn is crouched down in front of some trees and plants, with her hair loose around her shoulders, wearing glasses, a pale marl grey and pale blue long sleeved top, dark jeans and sparkly fit-flops. She is holding a custom framed art piece, which comprises of 26 playing-cards, each of which has a drum rudiment, the rudiment name, and a little description in black and red text. The white cards are beautifully presented behind a black mount, with a black frame featuring a gold inside border.
July 10, 2025 at 11:33 AM
dameevelynglennie.bsky.social
1/4 Please enjoy the latest clip from my read-through of 'Listen: How Evelyn Glennie, A Deaf Girl, Changed Percussion'.

To view the full video on YouTube here:
youtu.be/vNVMZLx-jX8

#EvelynGlennieReadsListen
July 1, 2025 at 11:58 AM