What is “Deafness”?

Deafness, like most things is far from black and white. Hearing impairment differs from person to person and thus there is really a whole spectrum that spans from those who associate themselves as Capital “D” Deaf and have forgone any kind of assistitive hearing aid or Cochlear implant device because they are happy living in a world without sound (at least as most people know it). They are not oral and Sign Language is their primary language and method of communicating, they often goto Deaf-only schools and Colleges and only have Deaf friends. Deaf people have great pride in their unique culture and can be quite protective and rebellious when hearing people try to impose their ways or views upon Deaf culture. Deafness is not viewed as a disability but rather a difference in perspective that the hearing world does not offer.

At the other end of the spectrum you’ll get Hearing Impaired types

Beginning to answer the question: What is “Deaf Music”?

Goodness gracious me, I’m back from camp! Touched down again in NYC yesterday evening and my, what a trip it’s been, I learnt a lot about myself and Deaf Culture and I have a lot I want to share with you all which I’ll spread out over the course of a few write-ups.

The question that we were asking both the adults and teenagers right at the beginning of camp and it’s one that gets right to the heart of the matter; What is “Deaf Music”?. Everyone of course had different ideas about what the answer could be so we had many discussions and brainstorms trying to find common ground and form some conclusions about what works and what doesn’t work when applying our theories in a practical manner.

I personally found it easier to come to some sort of understanding by breaking the question up into two parts so let us begin!

What is “Deafness”?

I’m in Michigan! Deaf Music is really happening!

As the title suggests, I made it out to the camp in Michigan, I haven’t had much of a chance to sit down and write since i’ve been mildly frentic in my attempts to secure a method of transport, prepare teaching related things and also finish up some lingering web design projects, whew! So in case you were wondering how I managed.. It was a fairly last minute decision to shift tactics and go with the simplest option which was to fly out, travel light and improvise the whole program and approach based on what kind of situation I find myself in and what sort of things the students are interested in doing themselves.

I’ll admit to being slightly on the ambitous side and wanting to take every sort of musical instrument and device with me so that I could be prepared for anything however the cost of a car rental was too phrohibitve in the end and my car-borrowing-leads fell through… Thinking about it though, I can still be prepared for anything, after all the mojo is all up here *taps forehead*.

Rosa the camp director agreed that this was all a sensible course of action and wasted no time in buying a plane ticket for me which immediately was a relief as I no longer had to worry about running around securing equipment not to mention the prospect of a grueling 10 hour drive that could potentially wipe me out before I even got started at camp!

So I finished up what I could of my work to keep my various web clients happy, said goodbye to my NY friends and now here I am at camp!

It’s truly beautiful here, pictures to follow soon I’m about to meet my fellow camp counsellors and the adult students tomorrow. No idea what to expect really but It’s going to be incredibly exciting. Tune in for more updates soon folks.

Deaf Music Camp Ideas on a Budget

Affordable Percussion Ensemble?

Help! I need a vehicle!

Well, I spoke with the camp director Rosa today and got on the same page, we have a lot of cool ideas for the deaf music camp. The focus will really be on rhythm, movement and visuals all working together in harmony, I am even wondering if it’d be possible to have everyone build a giant percussion instrument that everyone can play at once together, now that’d be freakin’ cool!

Inevitably all logistics are turning to the equipment needs, the camp does not have much in the way of sound equipment like a PA and mixer let alone instruments and amplifiers. We are debating hiring instruments but I had the idea of bringing all the equipment that I have access to here in NYC with me and driving myself over to Michigan. Rosa has given me a travel budget that would cover the gas but not much else.

I know I will have to invest some of my own money into this endeavor to make it happen. I’m not afraid to do this because I’m starting to feel like at this point I exist for nothing else but to change the perception of music and deafness however

Deaf Music Camp

My thoughts of late have been occupied with how to combine the typically separate worlds of music and deafness so a couple months ago, when I found out about a deaf music camp for teenagers taking place this Summer in Michigan of all places, I knew I had to be involved in some way.

I immediately emailed the camp director to see if they would be interested in having an extra volunteer for the duration of the camp. Eventually they got back to me and said that I was very welcome to come and participate, wow exciting! Shortly after that however it was revealed that out of all who signed-up, only a handful had followed through and paid up for the camp. After-all, this is the first ever camp of its kind completely dedicated to music and deafness, talk about pioneering new ground!

So there were going to be at least half a dozen kids, not really enough money had been raised to pay all the staff and several of the teachers dropped out, this was when Rosa (the camp director) asked if I would take on the responsibilities of the sound and music program… Whoa, quite a big step up in responsibilities but one that I gladly accepted.

At times I wonder if I really have all the skills and abilities to actually teach deaf people music but these thoughts are quickly vanquished when I realize that the entirety of my being is dedicated to over-coming the hurdles of being deaf, the catalyst for this is music.
Music is communication, confidence, sharing and being present in the moment with yourself and others. I live every day in the pursuit of connectedness, that is being and engaging with people, shying away from the isolation of not being able to hear speech in many situations, coming out of one’s shell and eliminating the barriers and negativity that surrounds us all.

At the end of this week, I hope that if all my planning goes well, I will embark on a mini-journey out into the unknown and learn things about myself and others that I never had a chance yet to discover.

Notes on trust

I am a trusting person, it comes naturally to me. I believe in the inherent good in all humans so it came as a shock when I brushed up upon an individual who betrayed my trust and for that I am thankful.

The ability for me to go up to someone and tell them that I am deaf but have something to say or would like to talk should they have the patience implies a trust that they are willing to do so, even if begrudgingly.

To be told that I am standing too close to you and that you are uncomfortable is