Claire Morrison has over twenty years experience as an Auslan interpreter. In doing so, she’s changed the way the deaf community can experience music. Morrison has created imaginative approaches for representing the sounds and feelings of music. In this way, she introduces the magic of live performances to countless more people who cannot hear. She began her adventure twenty years ago, starting with learning Auslan. Today, her legacy continues to succeed accessibility in the arts.
Morrison’s body of work is wide-ranging. They’ve been the interpreters for some of the most recognized artists, including Kylie Minogue and Josh Pyke, and they’ve worked events like the Adelaide Fringe and Womadelaide. Most recently, she interpreted at Josh Pyke’s concert, showcasing her ability to convey complex musical elements through her body language. Along with the Adelaide Symphony Orchestra (ASO), Morrison has played a large role in bringing music to everyone.
Morrison emphasized the dedication required for her role, stating, “It can take hours to prepare for a single concert.” Each performance demands meticulous attention to detail. She argues that “every interpreter is different. That’s because each one gives you a different view of the music they’re playing.
The Art of Interpretation
Morrison’s lens of interpretation is more than just replacing lyrics with an English translation. She dives deep into the music, taking time to learn its intricacies. And the second one is just the repetition, it’s just listening to the music endlessly, endlessly, endlessly. So researching to figure out what the lyrics could even mean, processing what they mean, just embodying what this song is about,” she shared.
With this approach, she can produce a visual interpretation of the music, which she says makes the performance more understandable for deaf concertgoers. “Thinking about pictures in your mind. Perhaps making a movie in your mind of the story that’s being told,” she elaborated. This imaginative process allows Morrison to bring to life the emotional richness of every work she interprets.
It’s this passionate commitment to bridging the communication gap between artists and audiences that has not gone unnoticed. Cheryl Wilhelm, the concertgoer who is profoundly deaf and uses Auslan to communicate, lived a rich life connected to music. “Now, it’s a lot more accessible. It’s much better,” she remarked, highlighting how nuanced interpretation has transformed her concert experiences.
Impact on the Deaf Community
The impact of having Auslan interpreters at live concerts can’t be overstated – it makes a huge difference to the overall concert experience for deaf people. Wilhelm admitted that no matter how good the technology is, nothing compares to a live musician’s touch. This access has really opened up her enjoyment of performances. “You don’t realize that some instruments are playing more than others at the time, so it’s nice to have that interpreted for you,” she said.
Emma Perkins, an Atlanta Symphony Orchestra violinist, shared similar sentiments about how removing barriers to access has been rewarding. She expressed pride in the orchestra’s efforts to include everyone in their offerings: “I feel really proud that the ASO is making real ground on trying to make us more accessible.” Perkins emphasized the importance of connection, stating, “It just feels great to be able to connect with people who may not have experienced what we do.”
It’s not just for the audiences that he said interpreters offer a valuable service. Interpreters offer a much-welcomed break to audiences. “Deaf people don’t want to just be watching you doing air guitar or air drums,” she explained. The inclusion of interpreters provides an opportunity for attendees to experience music in a new way, with full access to the performers and their artistry.
A Collective Effort Towards Inclusion
This beautiful collaboration between musicians and interpreters represents a promising collective step toward inclusivity in the arts. Morrison’s contributions showcase how artistry can overcome any barrier and create a dialogue between different cultures and communities. It brings me such joy, through the provision of music interpreters,” said Wilhelm about going to concerts with music interpreters. “It’s a very joyous thing to do because everyone is happy.”
The demand for creative and accessible work is more in demand than ever, and Morrison’s innovative methods are incredibly important to addressing this demand. As more performers recognize the importance of including Auslan interpreters at their events, the landscape of live music becomes increasingly inclusive.
