Music development and hearing impairment : a case study of Evelyn Glennie

Walters, Cyrill Agnes

Music development and hearing impairment : a case study of Evelyn Glennie

Master Thesis

2003

Publisher

University of Cape Town

Department

College of Music

Faculty

Faculty of Humanities

Abstract

The purpose of this research is twofold: firstly, it examines the extrinsic and intrinsic factors that contributed to the successful career of the profoundly hearing impaired internationally acclaimed solo percussionist Evelyn Glennie. Secondly, this investigation aims to create an awareness amongst South African music educators about the musical potential of the hearing impaired. The qualitative research design included (a) structured and unstructured interviews with Evelyn Glennie, Lucinda Rutter, an educator of the hearing impaired, Ronel Davids, a social worker for the hearing impaired and official sign language interpreter in Parliament, Arman Kleinschmidt, who is the director of DEAFSA (Deaf Federation of South Africa), (b) a study of audiovisual material of Evelyn Glennie (concerts, recordings and a documentary of Evelyn Glennie) and (c) a study of relevant literature. The investigation consists of three main parts. In the first part an in-depth theoretical study is conducted on hearing and listening, exploring aspects such as the hearing anatomical system and its functions, failings of the system as well as musical hearing and cognitive-based musical listening. The second part deals with the case study on Evelyn Glennie and includes a structured electronic interview. The third part involves an examination of the socio-cultural aspect of hearing impairment with reference to the Cape Town hearing impaired community. Interviews were conducted with social workers and ducators working with the hearing impaired community.

Description

Bibliography: leaves 70-76.

Keywords

Music

Reference:

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