Music-ITE

Can you imagine a world without music? Around 9 million people in the UK - one in seven of the population - are deaf yet they can, and do, enjoy music.

Music and the Deaf is a unique charity that brings music and the performing arts to deaf people and those who live and work with them.

Music and the Deaf's aim is “To help people of all ages and degrees of hearing loss to access music and the performing arts through workshops, educational projects, talks and signed theatrical performances.”

We are a signatory of the Music Manifesto and have excellent working relationships with the Department for Children, Families and Schools (DCFS) and the Qualifications and Curriculum Authority (QCA).

Unlocking music for the deaf and hearing impaired

Music and the Deaf challenges the misconception that deaf people cannot be involved or access music. Through educational workshops, talks and published resources, many deaf people and their families have been given a platform to enjoy music. Music and the Deaf works with hearing-impaired services to deliver music to deaf and young people in schools throughout the UK. The organisation’s work has been recognised by the Department for Children, Schools and Families and the Qualifications and Curriculum Authority. At the heart of its work are profoundly deaf musicians; Dr Paul Whittaker OBE (Artistic Director) and Danny Lane (Education and Projects Manager). Both promote the benefits of music fro deaf people, as well as identifying the need for professional intervention to enable participants to gain increased confidence and self –esteem

Biographies:
Dr Paul Whittaker OBE - Artistic Director
Paul was born in Huddersfield in 1964 and has been deaf from birth. He plays the piano and organ and occasionally trains choirs. He has a music degree from Wadham College, Oxford, a post-graduate diploma from the Royal Northern College of Music, and an Honorary Doctorate of Letters from the University of Huddersfield. In 2007 Paul was awarded an OBE for Services to Music.

Danny Lane - Education Projects Manager
Danny Lane is a graduate of Keele University where he studied Music and French. Danny's main instruments are Piano and Cornet. He has a passion for classical music and his favourite composer is Dmitri Shostakovitch (1906-1975).

Initial Teacher Education

Music and the Deaf regularly provides workshops for undergraduate and post graduate initial teacher education trainees following primary courses and those following specialist courses in music. Workshops can be offered for half a day or a whole day or longer is required. Feedback is always very positive from participants and it is through such work with the University of Huddersfield School of Education and Professional Development that Paul was awarded an honorary doctorate. Indeed, on of our Directors of the Board is Dr Lesley-Anne Pearson, Course Director for the secondary PGCE ITE programme at the University of Huddersfield. If you would further detail please contact Edwin Preston (Business Manager) at Music and the Deaf.

Contact details:

Music and the Deaf
The Media Centre
7 Northumberland Street
Huddersfield
HD1 1RL

Voice: 01484 483115
Fax: 01484 483116
Textphone: 01484 483117
E-mail: info@matd.org.uk
Registered Charity No: 1000025

Also visit the website at: www.matd.org.uk/aboutus.htm