ST. LOUIS SYMPHONY MEMBERS PERFORM MUSIC COMPOSED FOR DEAF CHILDREN 

ST. LOUIS, Missouri, January 23, 2006 –  Members of the St. Louis Symphony treated young Central Institute for the Deaf (CID) Oral School students to a world premiere performance of "Tuffy the Silly Tuba," possibly the first piece of music created specifically for the enjoyment of deaf children 2 to 5 years old. The performance was part of the St. Louis Symphony's Community Partnerships Program.

Symphony clarinetist Jim Meyer composed the music and performed it at CID along with his fellow Symphony members, David Kim (cello), Tod Bowermaster (French horn), Dana Myers (violin) and Michael Sanders (tuba). To go with his music, Meyer wrote a story about a mischievous tuba named Tuffy, who at first does not understand the value of hard work and practice in the creative process. The story was narrated by Jim's wife, Virginia Meyer, also the CID school nurse.

In composing the 25-minute piece, Meyer took advantage of notes in the lower register, which are well-suited for the tuba and cello and which can be perceived by many deaf children using today's sophisticated digital hearing aids and cochlear implants. To the very first notes of the music, the children responded with smiles of astonishment, some pointing to their ears and giggling.

The performance took place in the CID preschool-kindergarten discovery room. Forty children from the Joanne Parrish Knight Family Center and the CID Preschool-Kindergarten attended along with family members and teachers. The CID students are learning to listen and talk  without the use of sign language. CID teachers use the auditory-oral method of helping deaf children learn the speech, language, academic and social skills they will need to succeed in a predominantly hearing world.