Facts

1

Evelyn was the first full time solo percussionist in the world

2

In 2010 Evelyn participated in an online advert for the Toyota Prius Hybrid car and also with Robert llewelyn's taxi service 'Car Pool'

3

In 1993 Evelyn received an OBE followed by a Damehood (DBE) in 2007

4

Evelyn's favourite meal is 'Mince and Tatties' cooked by her Mum

5

On December 2nd 2010 Evelyn successfully reached the summit of Mount Kilimanjaro in Tanzania, in support of the charity Able Child Africa

6

As a little girl, Evelyn participated in Scottish Country Dancing

7

Evelyn was presented her graduation degree from the Royal Academy of Music and Queens 's Commendation Award for all round excellence by Princess Diana in 1985

8

Evelyn has a piece written for her called 'My Dream Kitchen' which involved her playing nothing but kitchen utensils

9

Evelyn has never had a solo percussion lesson in her life other than one month of marimba study in Japan in 1986

10

On tour, Evelyn spends most of her free time in book stores

11

Evelyn has over 80 International awards

12

Evelyn carries out phone interviews with an interpreter

13

Evelyn has played a farm, literally, to create sounds for TV and film

14

Evelyn has passed her Grade 1 with Distinction on Double Bass. It was in aid of EACH, East Anglian Children's Hospices and she raised £1500

15

It takes on average 4 hours to set up the instruments Evelyn plays in a recital and an average of 2 hours to strip them all down after the performance

16

Evelyn's favourite tipples are wine and German beer

17

In 1986 Evelyn undertook her first flying lesson

18

Evelyn's preferred form of communication whilst travelling is via text and email on her Blackberry.

19

Evelyn received the highest mark in the United Kingdom when she took the Associated Board Grade 1 piano exam at age 8

20

Evelyn is involved with the development of two Lithophones (stone marimbas). One which was developed with Leeds University and is housed in the Linton room as the former home of John Ruskin at Brantwood, Coniston in the UK. The other is with the Portland Stone Quarry Trust on Portland, Nr Weymouth, Dorset, UK is still under construction

21

Evelyn may be the first ever solo Percussionist to have been represented by a concert management organisation

22

Whilst at school Evelyn participated in an 8 hour marathon of non-stop solo playing of Piano & Percussion to raise money for a phonic Ear for herself and other hearing impaired pupils at the school

23

Evelyn gave the first ever Percussion recital and Percussion concerto in the history of the Royal Academy of Music

24

Evelyn loves to wear height of fashion clothing when performing

25

Evelyn loves animals and shares her home with a cat called Sophi

26

Evelyn speaks 'Doric' otherwise known as 'The Buchan Tongue'. This language is only spoken in the Northeast of Scotland

27

Evelyn signs used drum heads, broken sticks, etc. and gives them to charitable organisations to help raise funds

28

Evelyn toured around the Summer Isles of Scotland on the yacht ' Valhalla ' for a television documentary

29

Evelyn spearheaded a Consortium with James Galway, Andrew Lloyd Weber and the late Michael Kamen in the UK, which successfully secured a £332 million pound investment for music education by the UK government of the day

30

Evelyn designs and makes instruments, many of which are featured on her CD "Shadow Behind the Iron Sun".

31

Evelyn has had her nose pierced - twice!

32

Evelyn has performed on sculptured pieces at an International gathering of Blacksmiths

33

Evelyn has launched Soundscape gardens for children

34

Evelyn has held a full motorcycle licence since Jan 2001. She is the proud owner of an MV Agusta F4 motorbike

35

Diversity of food is of interest to Evelyn.

36

Evelyn has been to prison 9 times and escaped each time!

37

Evelyn started performing on piano in local old folks homes at the age of 10

38

Evelyn gives workshops and lecture/demos for students including a limited number private consultations on music and the music industry

39

Evelyn would like to establish a major Development Centre in the United Kingdom as a legacy to her life and career

40

Evelyn was brought up on a farm in the Northeast of Scotland

41

42

Evelyn has a soft spot for shortbread, Earl Grey tea and chocolate!

43

Evelyn owns 6 marimbas

44

Evelyn would love to produce her own calendar depicting images from her personal instrument collection

45

In her spare time, Evelyn loves walking, cycling, gardening and exploring antique fairs

46

Evelyn can be seen narrating with orchestras in concerts

47

Evelyn's music library has over 2800 pieces for percussion

48

Evelyn has designed her own range of sticks made by ProMark. There is also a range of practice pads and cymbals made by Sabian

49

Evelyn launched Classic FM radio station by giving 4 recitals in 4 different cities in one day in the United Kingdom. She travelled by army helicopter between the cities

50

Evelyn loves playing snooker

51

Evelyn gives motivational speeches around the world

52

Evelyn premiered the first ever Percussion and Piano Double Concerto by John Psathas in July 2002 

53

Evelyn would like to do a Rap Concerto with Eminem

54

Evelyn is an avid collector of jewellery from around the world and has developed her own range available via the website

55

Various things have been named after Evelyn, including a home for the elderly in Bournemouth, UK music rooms, school dormitories, performance halls, chairs and a bus in Peterborough!

56

Evelyn can be seen playing tom toms covered in her own tarten - "The Rythyms of Evelyn Glennie"

57

A rare 60 inch Paiste Tam Tam, an antique glass 'Glockenspiel' and a Cimbalom are some of the many instruments in Evelyn's instrument collection

58

Evelyn would love to learn to dance 'The Mambo'

59

Evelyn personally owns around 1800 percussion instruments

60

A live Play for children 'Playing from the Heart', is based on Evelyn's early life. The video is available to buy from the merchandise section.

61

In the USA she has appeared on ' Sesame Street ', '60 Minutes', 'The Jim Lehrer News Hour' and 'The Late Show with David Letterman' among many others

62

Evelyn has been the subject on 'The South Bank Show'

63

Evelyn presented a travel log television programme of South Korea called 'Great Journeys'. A book of this is available from selected stores

64

When she was a teenager, Evelyn wanted to be a hairdresser

65

At the age of 5, Evelyn won a National Primary School Art competition

66

Evelyn reviewed and advised on 'An Equal Music' by Vikram Seth

67

Several music books have been reviewed by Evelyn and she has also written the forewords and prefaces for many others

68

Evelyn is a proud owner of 'The Big Red Book', she has appeared on 'This is Your Life' with Michael Aspel

69

Evelyn has hosted two series of the BBC production 'Soundbites'

70

Evelyn was Co-Artistic Director for the Commonwealth Games in Manchester in July 2002

71

She has been Co-Director of two Percussion Festivals at the Kennedy Centre in Washington DC and at the Carnegie Hall in New York

72

Evelyn has given televised & SKYPE master classes

73

Evelyn has performed at the Carnival in Rio de Janeiro .

74

Evelyn had her own series of concerts at London 's Wigmore Hall called 'Hit List'

75

As a child, Evelyn played the mouth organ and the clarinet

76

She is the co-writer of a series of school music books entitled 'Beat It' which are published by Faber. 

77

Evelyn has a variety of collections which include different modes of transport such as electric scooters, unicycles, micro bikes, Bells, Pipe figurines, music boxes, masks, incense holders, practice pads and drum keys

78

Evelyn has had the honour of performing to Royalty and Presidents throughout the world

79

Evelyn opened the Crystal Palace Bowl in London

80

Evelyn has commissioned over 170 pieces of music

81

Evelyn has performed in 13 Prom concerts - most notably was her Prom debut in 1989 - the first ever solo percussion Prom. 

82

Evelyn is the proud owner of a 30 piece Gamalan named 'Sekar Roh' meaning 'Flower of the Spirit'

83

Evelyn has her own registered tartan known as 'The Rhythms of Evelyn Glennie '

84

In 1997 Evelyn developed a range of cymbals with Sabian called 'Glennie's Garbage'

85

Evelyn endorses Rolex watches

86

Evelyn has contributed articles to Tom Tom Magazine in the USA for Female drummers and to various self help, business and educational books

87

In 1993 'Good Vibrations' was published in Japanese

88

In 1991 Evelyn's autobiography 'Good Vibrations' was published and then reprinted in 1995

89

Evelyn had two major television documentaries made about her whilst she was still a student. 'A Will to Win' by the BBC and 'Good Vibrations' by Yorkshire Television

90

Evelyn would love to appear in a TV cameo role.

91

Evelyn plays the Great Highland Bagpipes

92

In a live performance Evelyn can use up to approximately 60 instruments

93

Evelyn writes and performs music for television,films and music libraries

94

Evelyn has won two Grammy Awards and received two further nominations

95

Evelyn has performed in approximately 42 countries

96

Evelyn has recorded 28 albums/cds. See discography section

97

Evelyn was the first 'classical' musician to have her own website

98

Evelyn performed on Sesame Street playing garbage cans with Oscar the Grouch

99

Major musical influences: Jacqueline du Pré and Glenn Gould