THE SOUND OF MUSIC ( CLASS 9 ENGLISH BOOK - BEEHIVE, PROSE - 2 : PART - 1 )

THE SOUND OF MUSIC (Part – 1)

EVELYN GLENNIE LISTENS TO SOUND WITHOUT HEARING IT

                                                   By Deborah Cowley

Name of the Characters:-

1. Evelyn Glennie ( the main character who became very famous musician without the capability of hearing)

2. Isabel Glennie ( mother of Evelyn Glennie)

3. Ron Forbes ( one of the teachers of Evelyn who spotted her potential)

Summary:-

     The first part of the chapter , “The sound of music” named Evelyn Glennie listens to sound without hearing it” by Deborah cowley is about Eveline who had lost her power of hearing but yet became one of very famous musicians of all time. At the age of 8 years, she began to lose her hearing gradually. At first, she tried to hide this but when her marks deteriorated at the age of 11, she was taken to the Specialist. Even after knowing her loss of hearing, she didn’t give up and decided to persue her interest in music. One of her teachers, unlike others, supported her and by using different drums taught her to feel the music, further she joined a youth orchestra and at the age of 16, gave an audition and was selected for the Royal Academy of Music. In just few years, She not only became very famous and busy international musician but also learned french and japanese languages . When asked, she used to speak that she can’t listen the music but she feels through every part of her body like skin , cheekbone, hair, fingertips and by her bare feet. In 1997, she was presented with the Royal Philharmonic society’s Prestigious soloist of the year award. One of her well- wishers told about her that God has given her something extraordinary. What we hear, she feels far more deeply than any of us. Evelyn Glennie achieved even more than the musicians of her double age. She had become the shining inspiration for many other physically disabled children. Apart from her regular concerts, she also gave many free cocerts in different places like prisons and hospitals. In her life by her talent, she had provided enormous pleasure to millions. 

IMPORTANT QUESTIONS & ANSWERS: 

I. Answer these questions in a few words or a couple of sentences each.

Q.1. How old was Evelyn when she went to the Royal Academy of Music ?

Answer:

Evelyn was not even seventeen when she went to the Royal Academy of Music.

Q.2. When was her deafness first noticed? When was it confirmed ?

Answer:

Her deafness was noticed when she was eight-year-old. It was confirmed by the time she was eleven.

II. Answer each of these questions in a short paragraph (30-40 words).

Q.1. Who helped her to continue with music ? What did he do and say?

Answer:

Ron Forbes helped her to continue with music. He spotted her potential and said, “Don’t listen through your ears, try to sense it some other way.” He began by tuning two large drums to different notes.

Q.2.  Name the various places and causes  for  which Evelyn performed.

Answer:

Evelyn performed free concerts in prisons and hospitals. She made music her life and that's why she performed many regular concerts.