David Rowntree (Blur) and Steve White (Style Council and the Who) joined forces with drum students from Drumtech and a number of deafblind drummers on Friday 25 June at Sense’s Big Beats Deafblind Drumathon.
The event, in support of Sense, marks the end of Deafblind Awareness Week.
The event at The Old Vic theatre, London, created an opportunity for deafblind drummers to express themselves through the drum session and showcase their talents and enthusiasm.
David Rowntree said: “I am delighted to have lent my support to this event. Most of what we learn about the world comes through our ears and eyes, so deafblind people face major problems with communication. When words are not possible, music is a powerful tool that helps deafblind people to interact, develop and express themselves.“
Richard Brook, Chief Executive, Sense said “A large part of our work focuses on enabling deafblind people to live independently, and to take part in any activities that would be on offer to others around them . Having a sensory impairment should not mean that deafblind children or adults should be excluded from choosing to take part in these activities. Sense’s Big Beats Deafblind Drumathon is a wonderful way of celebrating what can be achieved, with the right ingredients and support and to experience the art of drumming as a means of communication within a group of people who before this morning had never met.”
Steve White said: “Music has a wonderful way of joining people together from all backgrounds and ages, through the shared experience of listening, dancing or playing together, or in this case, drumming."
