Listening with the eyes
A concert series by the ensemble SING&SIGN
Experiencing and living music inclusively – that is the motto of Sing&Sign. We are an inclusive ensemble that combines musical practice and sign language. Music and text are thus made visible. The most important thing for us is that hearing-impaired and hearing people work together. From project development to organization and implementation.
The ensemble was founded in 2017 by soprano Susanne Haupt. Today, our non-profit association SING&SIGN e.V. consists of around 30 members. These include people with various hearing impairments, but also visually impaired people, people with learning disabilities and people with walking difficulties. The repertoire includes works by Johann Sebastian Bach in particular. Last year in 2024, we performed the St. John Passion and a Christmas Oratorio without barriers for people with hearing impairments. However, we also work on other works such as Schütz and Beethoven.
By making music and signing together, fears of contact are reduced and shared experiences are made possible. For this reason, interactive elements with the audience are just as much a part of the concept as discussions following concerts. The opportunity to exchange different perspectives and learn from each other will lead to living together rather than side by side in the future.
Backgrounds
The sign language community in Leipzig is particularly large. Despite this, many cultural offerings are not barrier-free or inclusive. Especially in the field of classical music, the idea of participation is often still missing, although there are many musical offers and events in Leipzig. A concert should be a benefit for hearing and hearing-impaired people, just as it is within the ensemble.
People with hearing impairments often have a limited ability to perceive music. This is partly due to vibrations in the room, hearing implants or residual hearing. The visualization of music can help to better classify the perceived sounds. The gestures should not only translate the text of the works, but also reflect the musical character. Music can be very complex and multi-layered, and this is exactly what the visualization should show.
The hearing audience is given an insight into the language and culture of the hearing impaired. It is shown how different communication in the sign community can be. It also draws attention to problems and grievances that the deaf community is often at the mercy of. For example, a lack of interpreters or a general lack of knowledge in society. The resulting communication barriers can lead to the exclusion and discrimination of hearing-impaired people. You can find more information about this on the website Taubenschlag www.nicht-stumm.de.
But this is exactly what we want to set an example against with our SING&SIGN association. Inclusion is not a one-way street and can only work if all sides approach each other. The learning of German Sign Language (DGS) by hearing people and the inclusion of hearing-impaired people in musical work is a step towards a shared practice. The aim is to encourage a change of perspective for both sides. This exchange makes it possible to get to know and understand each other better, to open up to each other and to focus on what connects us.