AN evening with Scottish virtuoso percussionist Dame Evelyn Glennie got off to a suitably dramatic start as it opened with an Icelandic drum solo by the celebrated musician.

Dame Evelyn staged a special evening at Bolton School and appeared performing the piece transfixing the audience before telling them she was “just testing the acoustics of the hall”.

Young musicians at Bolton School girls’ division had a chance to ask questions of Dame Evelyn, who has been profoundly deaf since the age of 12.

The musician spoke about her inspirational music teacher when she was 12, who asked her to create the feel of a tractor on the drum rather than the “sound”.

She explained that there are many musicians who can play pieces note-perfect, but very few who are brave enough to add in expression and their own personality. Introducing the Great Hall to a Waterphone, she showed how through this interesting and eerie-sounding instrument sound continues its journey long after it has ended.

Reflecting on leading out 1,000 drummers at the opening ceremony of the London Olympic Games, she said it was” an unbelievable experience and an extraordinary example of teamwork”. Rehearsals often took place in the rain to ensure all was perfect on the night.

A rendition of John Cage’s 4 minutes 33 seconds of Silence ended the evening. A spokesman for Bolton School said: “The lecture was the latest in a series of Arts and Science presentations. The next one will be given by the renowned Particle Physicist Professor Jeff Forshaw, University of Manchester, on February 27.”