The 2024 Auslan choir was born from a seed planted back in 2011 when I led an Auslan choir for the same work at a community day event with the MSO. It was a single-day workshop that merely hinted at the possibilities of what a well-rehearsed choir could achieve.

The connection between “music” and “deaf” is, ironically, very strong and one that could be easily misunderstood. Both involve an expressive, non-verbal language that relies heavily on emotion and human connection. Music is part of the shared human experience, with emotions often expressed beyond what vocabulary can provide. Beethoven’s Ninth Symphony covers a broad spectrum of emotions, which can be powerfully represented visually through sign language.

Hearing loss can be isolating and lonely – something Beethoven himself could attest to. However, the Deaf Community globally is a strong one that embraces its unique identity. Music and music education have not always been open to those with hearing loss, with many individuals historically excluded from learning instruments and participating in musical groups. While this has improved, it remains far from fully inclusive. Having allies and members of the Deaf Community as valued performers alongside MSO musicians and chorus members opens up potential pathways for exciting future collaborations.

Every step of this process was guided by Rachelle Stevens, an experienced teacher and consultant who has lived experience of deafness, being profoundly deaf herself. Rachelle and I worked together on this project for over a year, translating the lyrics from Old German to English, then unpacking the meaning to translate it into Auslan, ensuring alignment with the music. In short, Rachelle provided the seeing perspective while I contributed the hearing perspective, bridging both language and culture to fulfill the vision first planted back in 2011.