Taking three months to learn a song is enough to completely put most people off singing.
Not so in the case of the Deaf Sign Singers.
Despite profound deafness, they make precise mime movements to music.
“It can be a long and painful process,” says the leader of the band, Dulcie McKie, “but we are all determined to get it right.”
In 1979 Dulcie McKie gathered together a group of deaf people to perform a series of sketches and mimes for a fundraising event.
Worth ItTheir first song took three months to learn.
But the effort was worth it. Their first performance, which touched many hearts, was given a standing ovation.
Since then they have made 12 television appearances and more than 70 performances.
The Deaf Sign Singers have a busy schedule this year with performances throughout the North Island.
On Sunday they performed at a dedication service at the Central Methodist Mission to mark the start of Deaf Awareness Week.
Each week the 11 members of the group get together in Dulcie McKie’s home to rehearse songs and movements.
Reduced
They have now cut their three-month learning period down to an average of five weeks.
Songs, which range from rock hits to religious tunes, include a special song dedicated to the deaf—I Hear Your Hand.
With the aid of a prompter (who is not deaf) the group makes lip and body movements to the rhythm of the music.
“It is my greatest satisfaction seeing that this method of sign singing is getting across to the public,” said Dulcie McKie.
“Showing them the ‘beauty’ of signs at the same time helps the public understand the deaf better.”
The Deaf Sign Singers give daily performances at the Downtown Centre this week.
Picture caption: Dulcie McKie translates a song into signs.
