Musical Hands Signing Choir was the first one Paul Whittaker, OBE, set up, 10 years ago, and was originally called Paul’s Signing Choir. They have both Deaf and hearing members; some have been signing for years, others have only started recently, and they all share a love of signing songs.
Paul Whittaker, OBE
Born in Huddersfield in 1964, Paul has been Deaf all his life. A pianist and organist, he has a music degree from Wadham College, Oxford and a PG Diploma from the RNCM. For 27 years Paul ran a charity helping Deaf people access music before starting a freelance career in 2015. In 2007 he was awarded an OBE for Services to Music.
He has performed at the BBC Proms, Cumnock Tryst and Edinburgh International Festival, and with many orchestras, choirs and ensembles across the UK including the RPO, RSNO, SCO, RLPO, The Sixteen, BBC Singers and The King’s Singers. Paul was the first person in the UK to sign many major musicals such as Les Miserables, Miss Saigon, Phantom of the Opera, Starlight Express, Sunset Boulevard and Jesus Christ Superstar.
Since Autumn 2024 Paul has been the BSL Leader for Rock Choir in the UK, and runs 7 other BSL choirs live and online.
Paul Whittaker, OBE
Born in Huddersfield in 1964, Paul has been Deaf all his life. A pianist and organist, he has a music degree from Wadham College, Oxford and a PG Diploma from the RNCM. For 27 years Paul ran a charity helping Deaf people access music before starting a freelance career in 2015. In 2007 he was awarded an OBE for Services to Music.
He has performed at the BBC Proms, Cumnock Tryst and Edinburgh International Festival, and with many orchestras, choirs and ensembles across the UK including the RPO, RSNO, SCO, RLPO, The Sixteen, BBC Singers and The King’s Singers. Paul was the first person in the UK to sign many major musicals such as Les Miserables, Miss Saigon, Phantom of the Opera, Starlight Express, Sunset Boulevard and Jesus Christ Superstar.
Since Autumn 2024 Paul has been the BSL Leader for Rock Choir in the UK, and runs 7 other BSL choirs live and online.