🎵 The Sound of Music – Class 9 Beehive
🖊️ Chapter Summary & Q&A by Deborah Cowley
💡 Use for Notes, Exams, Classwork, or Website Content
🔹 1–40: Short Answer Questions
1. Who is Evelyn Glennie?
🔹 Evelyn Glennie is a famous Scottish percussionist who became deaf at a young age but went on to become a globally recognized musician.
2. When did Evelyn become deaf?
🔸 She started losing her hearing at the age of 8 and was completely deaf by the time she was 11.
3. Who helped Evelyn discover her musical talent?
🟣 Ron Forbes, a percussionist, noticed her potential and taught her to feel music through vibrations instead of hearing it.
4. How did Ron Forbes help Evelyn?
🟢 He tuned two large drums to different pitches and encouraged her to feel the vibrations through different parts of her body.
5. What was Evelyn’s challenge in school?
🔵 Teachers discouraged her from pursuing music and thought she couldn’t succeed due to her hearing loss.
6. How did Evelyn experience music?
🟠 She felt vibrations through her skin, feet, and hair, which helped her understand and play music accurately.
7. Where did Evelyn study music?
🔴 She was accepted into the Royal Academy of Music in London, where she topped her class.
8. What record did Evelyn break at the Academy?
🟡 She achieved the highest marks in the history of the Royal Academy and became one of its most distinguished students.
9. How many instruments can Evelyn play?
🔵 She can play more than a thousand percussion instruments from around the world.
10. How does Evelyn support others?
🟢 She gives free concerts in prisons and hospitals and teaches music to deaf children.
11. What awards has Evelyn received?
🟣 She received the Royal Philharmonic Society’s Soloist of the Year Award and many more.
12. What does Evelyn’s life story teach us?
🔸 It teaches us that determination, willpower, and hard work can overcome any obstacle.
13. What are percussion instruments?
🔹 They are musical instruments that produce sound when struck, such as drums, tablas, and xylophones.
14. What was Evelyn’s first big concert?
🔴 Her first solo performance was at the age of 16, which marked the beginning of her international career.
15. What kind of music does Evelyn play?
🟠 She performs both classical Western and popular music across the world.
16. Who was Ustad Bismillah Khan?
🟣 He was a legendary Indian shehnai player who made the instrument world-famous.
17. Where was Bismillah Khan born?
🟡 He was born in Dumraon, Bihar, in a family of traditional musicians.
18. Who trained Bismillah Khan?
🔵 He was trained by his maternal uncle, Ali Bux, a shehnai player in the Vishnu temple of Varanasi.
19. What inspired Khan Sahib’s music?
🔴 The flowing Ganga and the peaceful ghats of Varanasi deeply influenced his music.
20. What is a shehnai?
🟢 It is a traditional Indian wind instrument often played in weddings and religious functions.
21. How did Bismillah Khan make shehnai popular?
🔸 He elevated it to a classical status by performing on radio, in concerts, and internationally.
22. What was his special performance in 1947?
🔹 He performed Raag Kafi from the Red Fort on India’s first Independence Day.
23. What major awards did Khan Sahib receive?
🔴 He received Padma Shri, Padma Bhushan, Padma Vibhushan, and Bharat Ratna.
24. Did he accept offers from abroad?
🟣 No, he refused many offers to settle abroad as he loved India deeply.
25. What was his daily routine like?
🟢 He lived a simple life and practiced music as a spiritual discipline every day.
26. How did he treat music?
🔵 He considered music a form of worship, not a means to earn fame or money.
27. What kind of person was Bismillah Khan?
🔸 He was humble, patriotic, and deeply devoted to music and Indian culture.
28. What lesson does Khan Sahib’s life teach us?
🟠 It teaches us to stay rooted, be humble, and respect our cultural heritage.
29. Where did he feel most inspired to play?
🟡 At the banks of the Ganga in Varanasi, surrounded by nature and devotion.
30. What do Evelyn and Bismillah Khan have in common?
🔹 Both overcame personal or social challenges and dedicated their lives to music.
31. What is the message of this chapter?
🔴 Talent, when combined with hard work and sincerity, leads to greatness.
32. Why is Evelyn’s success unique?
🟣 She achieved global recognition in music despite being completely deaf.
33. How did Khan Sahib respond to modern commercial music?
🟢 He disliked commercialism and stayed true to the spiritual roots of music.
34. Why is Evelyn a role model for the disabled?
🔵 She proves that disability is not a barrier to success if you are determined.
35. What was Khan Sahib’s opinion on film music?
🟡 He did not appreciate film music much and remained focused on classical styles.
36. How did Evelyn feel the vibrations of music?
🔸 She felt it through her feet while standing barefoot on wooden floors or drums.
37. How did people react to Evelyn’s first performances?
🔹 They were amazed and inspired to see a deaf musician playing so beautifully.
38. What does Evelyn teach the world?
🔴 That true passion can break all barriers—even physical ones.
39. Why was Bismillah Khan respected in India and abroad?
🟠 He brought international fame to Indian classical music and remained humble.
40. How does this chapter inspire young readers?
🟢 It motivates them to follow their passion and not be afraid of difficulties.
📘 41–45: Long Answer Questions (100–120 words)
41. Describe Evelyn Glennie’s journey to becoming a world-famous musician.
🌟 Evelyn Glennie lost her hearing completely by the age of 11, but her determination didn’t let that stop her. With guidance from Ron Forbes, she learned to sense music through vibrations in her body. She practiced hard and got into the Royal Academy of Music, where she graduated with top honours. Evelyn mastered hundreds of percussion instruments and performed worldwide. She also teaches and motivates others, especially the differently-abled. Her story is an inspiring example of overcoming disability with strength, creativity, and dedication.
42. Write about Bismillah Khan’s contribution to Indian music.
🌟 Bismillah Khan played a key role in making the shehnai a respected classical instrument. He was trained by his uncle and practiced at the ghats and temples of Varanasi. His performances were deeply spiritual and connected to his Indian roots. He performed during historic moments, like India’s Independence Day, and received top civilian awards including the Bharat Ratna. Despite offers to move abroad, he remained in India, honoring his cultural heritage. His devotion, simplicity, and patriotism made him a legend in Indian music.
43. Compare the lives and journeys of Evelyn Glennie and Bismillah Khan.
🌟 Both Evelyn and Bismillah Khan became legends in their fields. Evelyn is a deaf Scottish percussionist, while Bismillah Khan was an Indian shehnai maestro. Evelyn overcame her disability through determination and unique learning methods, while Khan Sahib devoted his life to spiritual music and tradition. Evelyn traveled globally, while Bismillah Khan chose to stay rooted in India. Despite their differences, both proved that true musicianship is about passion, dedication, and humility. They inspired millions by breaking boundaries in music.
44. What values can we learn from Evelyn Glennie’s life?
🌟 Evelyn Glennie teaches us perseverance, innovation, and courage. She did not give up despite being deaf and found a new way to experience music through touch. She broke barriers, inspired the disabled community, and achieved worldwide success. Her humility and desire to give back make her not only a brilliant musician but also a role model. Her story shows that we can overcome any challenge with creativity, hard work, and belief in ourselves.
45. Why is Bismillah Khan called a true patriot?
🌟 Bismillah Khan’s love for India was evident in all his choices. Despite many offers from abroad, he never left India permanently. He performed at major national events like Independence Day and promoted Indian classical music globally without losing his cultural identity. He believed music was sacred and rejected commercial fame. His deep respect for the Ganga and Indian traditions earned him immense respect. He is remembered as a true patriot who served the nation through his art.
💡 46–50: Value-Based Questions
46. What does Evelyn Glennie’s life teach us about success?
✅ Success comes from inner strength, not external circumstances. Evelyn’s story proves that dedication and innovation can overcome even physical disabilities.
47. How is music a symbol of unity in this chapter?
✅ Both Evelyn and Bismillah Khan used music to connect with people of all backgrounds, showing that music has no language or barrier.
48. Why is it important to stay connected to your roots?
✅ Bismillah Khan stayed loyal to his culture and values, which gave his music purity and power. Roots give identity and stability.
49. What quality helped Evelyn overcome her challenges?
✅ Her determination, confidence, and ability to adapt helped her build a successful career in music despite being deaf.
50. Why are Evelyn and Bismillah Khan remembered today?
✅ They are remembered for their unmatched talent, humility, and for inspiring the world through their love and dedication to music.
Just say the word!