Director of Music at St Cuthbert’s Church, Birkby - who has been deaf from birth - has just been awarded a second Honorary Doctorate for his ‘Exceptional contribution to music and culture’ after his work in encouraging the engagement of deaf people with music.
Paul Whittaker was born with severe hearing loss but has been involved in music since he was five and has spent his life trying to make music more accessible for deaf people.
Dr Whittaker was awarded his first Honorary Doctorate from the University of Huddersfield in 2005, was awarded an OBE by the Queen in 2007 and received this second Doctorate from the Open University on the 6th November this year at Bridgewater Hall in Manchester.
Paul says, “Being awarded a second Honorary Degree was as much of a surprise as the first one (from Huddersfield in 2005), as such things come out of the blue.
“I just see myself as getting on with my job - doing something that I enjoy, and which helps and supports others - so it's humbling and unexpected when you're given an award.
“It was the same with my OBE!”
He adds, “I can't imagine life without music, even though I don't hear it or understand in a conventional way.
“It's all based on seeing and score and feeling vibrations.”
In 1988 Paul founded Music and the Deaf, a charity based in Huddersfield designed to help deaf people access music through leading talks, training events, workshops and signed concerts and theatre performances.
Paul was the first person to sign an entire BBC Prom concert during Stephen Sondheim’s 80th birthday performance in 2010, and he has also signed at many other concerts and musicals ranging from Les Miserables to Joseph.
Dr Whittaker has just started his own signing choir in Halifax, as well as continuing his work to try and encourage more concert venues to improve access for deaf people while also still leading music and worship at St Cuthbert’s.
Paul has also worked with the Open University to promote access to deaf people on their music courses while ensuring that these courses are accessible and suitable for those with severe hearing loss.
Paul says, “The Huddersfield Doctorate was for services to music education.
“The Open University one is for ‘Exceptional contribution to music and culture’.
“I guess that covers quite a range of possibilities, from encouraging music with deaf people, raising awareness and providing access, through to breaking down barriers, inspiring people and sometimes challenging them.”
Revd Mary Railton-Crowder, Vicar of St Cuthbert’s, Birkby, and St Philip the Apostle, Birchencliffe, says, “Everyone at St Cuthbert's was delighted to hear that Paul's considerable talents have been recognised by the award of this, his second, Honorary Doctorate.
“He is well known nationally and internationally and he travels widely, but fortunately for us he always comes home to St Cuthbert's where he is Director of Music and plays a significant part in the worshipping life of our community.
“Right now he is preparing for our carol services and enduring the endless Dr Dr jokes!
“Well done (again) Paul - we are proud of you!”
The image on the right shows Dr Whittaker with Richard Gillingwater (left), Pro-Chancellor of the Open University, and Keith Zimmerman (right), University Secretary, who presented Paul with the degree.
Paul explains, “Music was always around in the house when I was young.
“Despite being born deaf I started playing the piano when I as five, singing in choirs at seven, and learning the organ at 12.
“I started training choirs when I was 13 and knew from a young age that when I grew up - a work in progress - I wanted to help other deaf people, and those who live and work with them, enjoy music.”
Paul continues, “The past 28 months have been difficult.
“My Mum had a mild stroke in summer 2013, Dad died (unexpectedly) on the 18th December 2013, I was diagnosed with depression for the fourth time that same month, but had to take the main responsibility of caring for Mum, who then developed vascular dementia.
“After a year in a care home she passed away in October of this year. “
“I am now moving on with my life.
“I left Music and the Deaf in April 2015 and now work freelance,” Paul says.
“I still do some workshops, am continuing to help lead the ‘Feel the Music’ project around the world with the Mahler Chamber Orchestra, but really wish to develop my career as a speaker.
“I love meeting people and entertaining them.
“I'd also like to do more work encouraging churches with limited (or no) musical resources to get their congregations singing and be more adventurous in their musical repertoire.”
He continues, “Work wise, I've been to Hong Kong and Macau with the Mahler Chamber Orchestra, been back to Jersey to adjudicate signing choir classes at the Jersey Eisteddfod, am developing signed song exams for a major Board, doing some talks, provided training for sign language interpreters in North Scotland, been working with Opera North after a gap of many years, developing my website and social media stuff, been involved with the ‘Friday Afternoons’ project for Aldeburgh Music, led several signed song session for the Women's Institute in partnership with ‘Hidden Hearing’ and trying to generate more work for the future.”
Finally, “Future plans? Enjoy life, earn more than I am at present, develop a successful speaking career, encourage churches and congregations to sing, attend some Chapter meetings (not been for a while, due to circumstances), hopefully sign some more concerts and theatre shows, be happy, continue making people smile and laugh, be myself.”