The Evelyn Glennie Collection is a major resource for research, not only for percussionists and musicologists but where the entry points can be through history, geography, science, sociology etc. The richness of The Collection is augmented by the incredible kindness of people who donate items. It recently and very gratefully received an extraordinary addition: a Gyil, a Ghanaian Xylophone made by the late Thomas Sekgura around 50 years ago.
Thomas, born in a xylophone family in Guo in the Dagaare tribe, Upper West Ghana, was a master gyilli maker and player.
Bex Burch (middle) and Thomas Sekgura (right), taken when Bex was his apprentice, sitting behind the gyil, in their compound in Guo
This special instrument has been donated by Bex Burch, an immensely inspiring musician/composer, who has delighted the world with her powerful and moving performances using the Gyil as part of her musical voice. I am so grateful to Bex and I cannot wait to perform with her later this year as part of the Überschlag Festival in Germany.
Bex Burch, Evelyn and the gyil 
Evelyn and the gyil donated by Bex Burch
If you are interested in booking one of our Visit The Collection tours, you can find out more here: https://www.evelyn.co.uk/visit-the-collection/
We’re also always happy to hear from potential volunteers. If you have free time available and are based near out office in Huntingdon, Cambridgeshire, UK, why not fill out the application form and get in touch via admin@evelyn.co.uk. If you have an unusual instrument, concert programme, musical score or other item which you feel might find a good home here as part of The Evelyn Glennie Collection, we would really like to hear from you too. And last but not least, if you are interested in hearing about The Collection and The Evelyn Glennie Foundation, we have a mailing list which you can sign up to as well.