On May 24, 2011, three primary school choirs from Greater Manchester gathered at The Bridgewater Hall to perform in song and sign language. Deaf and hearing children from each school had enjoyed three workshops with Dr Paul Whittaker from Music and the Deaf, during which they learned and contributed to a new composition by Will Mace which explored the different activities in the school day.
Parents, teachers and supporters filled the stalls of The Bridgewater Hall for the culmination concert, at which 150 children performed their new piece together. Each school also sang an indiviudal song; Thorn Grove Primary from Stockport, who had worked with Music and the Deaf the previous year, sang 'The Busted Bus', a song from the earlier project; Thomasson Memorial School from Bolton, which caters exclusively for hearing impaired pupils, signed to Alison Moyet's 'What A Wonderful World' whilst Alma Park Primary from Manchester performed 'Amani Utupe', a song from Africa.
Feedback from participants and audience members was tremendous, and everybody involved in the project was moved and uplifted by the children's efforts.
"The kids are delighted with themselves today and can't stop talking about it - even though they're tired out!"
Bridging Hands was also an important learning opportunity for The Bridgewater Hall. We already offered access support for deaf and hearing impaired audiences through hearing loop systems and spaces for hearing dogs, but by working on a sustained basis with children and their families, both front of house and backstage, ensured that we reconsidered our access provision and our understanding of how hearing impaired audiences can interact with music.
As Paul Whittaker explained in an interview with the Manchester Evening News, "They all get something out of it. Everyone seems to be able to take part at whatever level suits them. It’s a great opportunity for hearing children to learn about sign language, and express themselves through that, and it’s a fantastic opportunity for deaf children to have a go at singing."
As a direct result of Bridging Hands, the family concert Peter & the Wolf LIVE in October 2011 will include BSL interpretation, as will concerts planned for 2012. The signed performances will be promoted through BSL Tickets, our programme sponsor for Bridging Hands. This was more than a successful one-off project; it will continue to inform our access planning and programming for hearing impaired audiences far into the future.
Thanks for the project go to:
Dr Paul Whittaker from Music and the Deaf
Composer Will Mace
Singers Jeff Borradaile and Jill Henderson Wild
Interpreters Andy Higgins, Craig Brown and Sheryl Gale
...and to all of the staff and pupils from Thorn Grove Primary, Stockport Sensory Support Service, Alma Park Primary and Thomasson Memorial School
