Keynote Speech: Dr Clarence Adoo MBE

Dr Clarence Adoo MBE is the Orchestral and Health Programme Leader at Sage Gateshead. He is also the Education Animateur with Royal Northern Sinfonia, Orchestra of Sage Gateshead.

He began his musical career as a child, playing cornet, piano and trumpet with The Salvation Army. He graduated from the Royal College of Music and built a reputation as one of the UK’s most talented and versatile trumpeters, playing with world-renowned orchestras including the Scottish Opera, the London Sinfonietta and the City of London Sinfonia. A road accident in 1995 left Clarence paralysed from the shoulders down and unable to play the trumpet, but he continues to perform and inspire audiences.

Clarence has learned to play the Headspace, a sophisticated electronic instrument created especially for him. Headspace is controlled by head movements and using delicate precise breaths, similar to playing a wind instrument.

He travels across the region visiting schools, colleges and adult groups for Royal Northern Sinfonia where he leads workshops and encourages people to enjoy new forms of music. He also conducts the Clarence Adoo Brass Band; leading dramatic performances from the band by moving his head and using facial expressions.

Clarence is a founder member of the pioneering British Paraorchestra which played at the closing ceremony of the 2012 Paralympics. The orchestra recognises and showcases disabled musicians with extraordinary abilities. He was awarded an MBE in 2012 in recognition of his services to music and the way in which he has inspired people since his accident.