If it’s not Baroque, don’t fix it: a participatory concert of classical music

Emma Boswell, the National Coordinator of our Usher Service, shares her experience of a concert curated for a deafblind audience…

On Remembrance Sunday, in the heart of London, I had the pleasure of attending a concert in the beautiful Sinfonia Smith Square Hall in Westminster. The performance was entitled “The Sense of Baroque: When the Trumpets Sound” and was curated specifically for a Deafblind audience (along with Interpreters/Communicator-Guides).

Upon arrival, the audience were provided with an insightful sensory description of life in Baroque France during the 18th century.   As an audience we were provided with a sensory picture of the experiences of Marie Antoinette, being able to smell the fragrance of her favourite tuberose within the Trianon gardens, the scent used by her perfumer to create her signature perfume.  We experienced this aroma as it was wafted by a fan, and we explored the different textures of items replicating artefacts from the palace of Versailles. We felt the luxurious velvet and silk textures which would have made up the queen’s extensive wardrobe and felt the carvings depicted on the wall sconces and sculptures within the palace.

The audience felt their way up the spiralling staircase to the upper floor where we could gain a sense of the impressive Baroque architecture by feeling the giant columns which support the vaulted ceiling. The upper floor was dimly lit but this was unimportant as each person communicated through touch, which was quite astounding. Before the performances began, every musician personally greeted each audience member using hands-on signing, introducing themselves and their instrument.

We were then introduced to the many different types of instruments to feel and explore. The organ was magnificent with its towering pipes of different sizes. It was interesting to learn how the organ worked, with its ‘stops’ which create different sounds, and how the pitch and volume can be changed. It was sensational being able to feel the organ as it played, taking in the vibrations of the music, whilst having social haptics on my back for additional information as I interacted with the instruments and the music; what a unique experience!

Following this we were led on to experience the brass instruments from the Baroque era, such as natural trumpets and trombones.  As the musicians played, we were able to touch the instruments and sense the music and changes in pitch and volume, as well as feeling the musicians breathing through the rise and fall of their chest. We were able to sense the intensity of each breath needed to create the sound and feel the breath passing through the bell at the end of the trumpets.  I personally could feel a connection between the musician, the instrument and myself as a participative audience.  The musicians were keen for us to share this experience and were comfortable with touch.  A highlight for me was being able to touch the organist’s back whilst he played, and feel the connection he had with the instrument in front of him – a connection which in that moment I also felt I was part of.

Another highlight was experiencing the intense sound of the buffalo horn, which we were informed was often used by nobility to summon an audience when an important announcement was to be made.  I could appreciate the power this instrument had, despite being only a small horn.

The audience immensely enjoyed this multi-sensory experience, some accessing the music through the use of hearing aids and cochlear implants, others through hands-on signing and tactile communication, smell, touch, and social haptics. It was a delight for all of our senses and a day to remember.