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November 2008
Clarence and Cliff
When Sir Cliff Richard visited Newcastle for a 50th anniversary celebration concert, he caught up with his old mate, Clarence. Well, whether it was quite like that is not certain. What is true is that Cliff and Clarence have performed together in the past. Clarence played in a number of concerts featuring the gospel rock singer Sheila Walsh and in some of those Cliff also appeared.
Clarence wished Cliff all the best for his concert and is pictured with carers Elsie (a great Cliff fan) and Richard.
January 2007
Clarence’s World During 2006
From Clarence:
Thank you for your well wishes over the festive season. Watching the fireworks on TV during the last few minutes of 2006, I paused to think with gratitude over the previous twelve months, and an excitement knowing I cannot predict my year ahead.
February last year was the first English performance of my Headspace computerised instrument (www.headspaceensemble.co.uk). This came attached to a busy schools project through January with four intense days of filming the instrument for a BBC documentary.
It was tiring but really rewarding, especially with a London nomination for a new instrumental award. (I came second)
During 2006 I wasn’t able to get away as usual for my intense physio weeks due to my specialist Gloucester physios being lured suddenly to America. Daily workouts continued as normal which did help to keep me fit and healthy resulting in some new strange sensation occasionally being felt to parts of my left knee.
Work has been done to my house giving me electronic automatic doors (again). This means I don’t have to wait patiently in front of every door and shout for the carer. The odd door needs some tweaking much to the amusement of some of my less frequent visitors.
This year I became independent at work, (to a degree) with my computer work station being duplicated in my shared office. I can now take my laptop to work and use disabled facilities in the office to prepare projects, make phone calls and send emails etc.
I have had the chance to enjoy a significant increase of directing, coaching ensembles, youth orchestras and amateur orchestras over the past twelve months.
The BBC young musician of the year semi-final and finals were broadcast from my work, allowing me easy access to hear these amazing young people as well as an opportunity to adjudicate an earlier round of the competition again.
Meanwhile the The Clarence Adoo Trust still amazingly continues from strength to strength.
Life doesn’t go smoothly every day
Whilst charging around in my wheelchair a leg rest broke. So as not to miss any appointments that day, I spent the day uncomfortably cross legged. Another busy day led to repairs being made to my chair whilst still sitting in meetings.
One of the more amusing events of recent weeks was getting stuck in the bath. My reliable ceiling track hoist of seven years decided it needed a rest. In such situations one is suppose to call on the fire brigade but my amazing carers hauled me out in a sling similarly like a fishing net being retrieved from the ocean (some may use other analogies).
Recently I’ve held three 8.15am breakfast meetings in my bedroom whilst waiting the regular nursing visit or been on my telephone headset whilst getting washed and dressed.
Sometimes I wonder if my schedules are a little ambitious. Everyday jobs seem often to take an age. The stimulation and adrenaline I get from working hard keeps me motivated and continues my hungry zest for life. I’m not sure what the alternative is.
Have a Peaceful, Happy and Blessed 2007
Yours,
Clarence
February 2007
Date for Portugal
The fame of Clarence's new performing group, Headspace Ensemble (www.headspaceensemble.co.uk), is spreading and Clarence has announced that they are to perform in Portugal over Easter.
The gig will be in Portugal's second city, Porto in the north.
At the time of writing there were no details, but when they are known, they will be posted on our events page.
February 2006
Great Comeback! Clarence Performs Again
"I feel like a musician again" says Clarence after performing his first home concert at the Sage, Gateshead. Ten years since his accident, he has not been able to play the trumpet, but what has made this comeback performance possible is the revolutionary instrument "Headspace" designed for him by Rolf Gehlhaar, as was covered in these pages last year.
The concert drew some media attention, including the BBC and national press. The following is an extract from the British Bandsman, reproduced by kind permission:
Clarence Adoo returns to the stage
ON A NIGHT to remember, in only his second concert since his debilitating accident ten years ago, former leading trumpet soloist Clarence Adoo took to the stage last Thursday (9th) at the Sage, Gateshead to perform with the quartet group, Headspace. The man who says, “it's important not to dwell on the things you can't do, but to make the most of the things you can do,” performed with the help and support of the group, which takes its name taken from a software package that it uses to generate the synthesised sounds produced. Clarence's instrument isn't played with the use of the hands, but through subtle head movement and using infrared beams. Headspace also responds to a sensitised blowing tube, allowing the player to cover up to five octaves and produce hundreds of different synthesised sounds and timbres through a deft mixture of precise movements and breath control. When asked after the concert what it was like to be performing once again, Clarence answered, “Fantastic. The build up and adrenalin before the concert hit me more than expected, but the concentration that I needed for Headspace didn't allow any emotions of playing in front of a home crowd.
BB's Andrew Hall with Clarence Adoo
It was disappointing, though, to get to the end and realise that it will be several months before I will be able to take part in something as amazing as this once again.”
After offering thanks to the designer, Rolf Gehlhaar, for his expertise and ingenious skills demonstrated in setting up the instrument, Clarence continued, “There isn’t a great deal of difference between using Headspace and playing the trumpet, except that you don’t feel the instrument vibrating and the sound comes out 20 feet away in the auditorium. In blowing through the tube, which is in effect the mouthpiece, less air is required, but precision is still necessary, even although I can’t feel any feedback as a result of paralysis.”
Rolf Gehlhaar, in explaining that Headspace was developed for Clarence to start working with in 2002, said, “Like any other musical instrument, you can’t just pick it up and perform immediately, you have to practise long and hard. Once the instrument existed in a useable form, it was essential simply to leave Clarence to get on with it.”
Clarence Adoo picked up the story: “From starting to learn to play the equipment it took ten minutes to be able to play Auld Lang Syne with only two mistakes. If you get a sticky valve or slide on a trumpet then you start to worry. I worry that the laptop that I use doesn’t crash, as has already happened before the first concert we gave in Orkney.
In addition to Clarence, the quartet comprises of Tjorbjorn Hultmark on trumpet and flugel horn, John Kenny, the arranger of Headspace, on trombone and Carnyx (an Iron Age war horn) and Chris Wheeler, who is the sound projectionist and in control of the live electronics.
Clarence hopes that, depending on the availability of the rest of the quartet, he will be able to do two or three concerts a year. He is still involved with teaching and also leads orchestras and brass bands in concerts or rehearsals.
A recording was made of last week’s concert at The Sage and it will be broadcast on BBC1 in the north-east on Monday (20th) at
7:30 pm and on SKY Channel 944. Information on future events and details on contributing to the funds to help Clarence Adoo is available at www.clarence.org.uk.
THE BRITISH BANDSMAN SATURDAY 18 FEBRUARY 2006
The BBC filmed the concert for a local documentary about Clarence. The Independent also ran an article. Please see Headspace Media for details
July 2005
Article about Headspace
One of the greatest things to help Clarence get back into performing music is an electronic instrument called Headspace. This is not a device to help him play the trumpet, but an electronic musical instrument in its own right. This article, reproduced with permission of THe Brass Herald, was written by John Wallace OBE, principal of RSAMD.
Brass Reincarnations
by John Wallace
I've travelled a long way on the trumpet's back, though it's often felt like
I was the beast of burden in our relationship. Nevertheless, the fork that
appeared in our collective roads has been getting closer and closer. On one
side there stands the huge array of new responsibilities I hold as the
Principal of the RSAMD. On the other lies the reality that my chops are
growing old and stubborn. So on June 6th, I'll be getting off the
instrument's saddle. Or perhaps the trumpet will be getting off my back:
we'll see how it feels afterwards.
Nearing my last performance, I've found myself thinking more and more about the trumpet's future. Whose hands will we pass the instrument on to - in which directions will our younger performers lead it? Uncertainty hangs over many areas of the art and craft of brass performance; areas that seemed healthy - even ubiquitous - as little as thirty years ago. There has never been a time in which innovation within our field has seemed so necessary: within the next generation, we will see a survival of the creative. Only the most inventive composers, performers, venues, and instruments will survive. Their ideas may be uncomfortably different from ours, but they are the ones who will keep brass music moving and alive. One brilliant new transformation takes centre stage at the St. Magnus Festival in Orkney this June. It is represents a pioneering effort of performance, composition and instrument making, presided over by my good friend, Clarence Adoo, who will be performing on stage for the first time in ten years. Rehearsing with him a few weeks ago in the RSAMD was humbling and inspiring in equal measure. More than anything, it gave me a sense that our instrument is being passed down into so many different and brilliant sets of hands.
In Clarence's case, the instrument doesn't touch his hands - there is no way it could. Since 1995, this young and brilliant trumpeter, a graduate of the The Royal college of Music in London and a Northern Sinfonia regular, has suffered a broken spine, meaning he is paralysed from the neck down. An indomitable spirit, a hunger to perform and the innovative contributions of composer John Kenny and instrument designer Rolf Gelhar are bringing him to the stage again, with probably the most versatile and far-reaching instrument ever designed for a disabled performer.
Monitoring Clarence's head movement through infra-red beams, the "Headspace" instrument responds to a sensitised blow tube, allowing Clarence to cover five octaves and hundreds of different synthesized sounds and timbres in moments through a deft mixture of precise movements and breath control. How much of playing Headspace is similar to playing his old instrument? 'There's a similarity between using the blow-tube and tonguing,' Clarence says, 'but it's not a trumpet: I don't know if I could triple-tongue!'
'Headspace has a lot of colour and versatility,' Clarence goes on to say, 'brass instrument sounds are one of it's major resources, but there are over two hundred I can access in moments'. I have seen Clarence demonstrate the ways in which this new instrument, with its huge tonal range and its varied qualities of sound, has the capacity to outplay us all. But where did this instrument come from?
Clarence explains to me Headspace's evolution. 'The idea came from a machine Rolf Gelhar designed called "Soundbeam", which used two or four sensors in a small space - moving between these sensors created sound. John Kenny, Rolf Gelhar and I tried using Soundbeam: when I moved my head to the left, I could access a keyboard, when I moved my head to the right, I could play a drum kit'. But he quickly craved a more creative experience. 'As a classically trained musician, I wanted more flexibility. I wanted to be more specific with notes and timbre; I wanted to be able to use dynamics expressively'. Together, Clarence, John and Rolf came up with an instrument that runs off a laptop computer and that responds to movements sensed by a headset. With it, Clarence can pattern remarkably expressive musical phrases. This is testament to his original goals with the project; 'I wanted to enjoy Headspace as an instrument, instead of switching buttons on and off'.
Using Headspace, Clarence moves virtuosically through a vast repertoire of sounds: trumpets, pianos, thunder and waves. He creates an electrifying performance space; fantastic new possibilities for the instrument, for the music, and very importantly, for other disabled performers. One thing that struck us both as we rehearsed at the RSAMD in April was the excitement with which other disabled musicians regarded Headspace. 'There seemed to be a sense that at last we have something that a lot more people can have enjoyment of,' Clarence says; 'that's why it's important I'm as creative and skilful on this instrument as anyone can be'.
Clarence has been practicing towards a first performance with Headspace since 2002. 'As a disabled person, I didn't want to feel I was letting the side down - I wanted to master the new instrument', he says. The astonishing amount of work he has put into the project, and the mastery with which he performs with Headspace, demonstrates to everyone the kind of single-minded resolution all true performance artists need. 'I feel privileged to be playing with the musicians I am; to perform with an instrument someone has taken the time to tailor-make for my unique situation', he says. On stage with Clarence in Orkney will be composer, trombonist and Headspace collaborator John Kenny. 'John and I spent two days working out Headspace's limitations for the concert,' Clarence jokes, 'and ended up frustrated by its options!'
Clarence and I also talked about the many brass instruments the St. Magnus Festival is incorporating into its performances this year; brass ancient, modern, and revolutionary. I believe that Headspace is a revolutionary brass instrument, though when I say so, I sense caution in some other brass enthusiasts. Maybe I have a one-track mind, but this new instrument reminds me of a trumpet in several ways (discounting the fact that my family tells me everything reminds me of a trumpet). I think Headspace propels us towards one exciting vision of many possible brass futures. I notice that to play Headspace, the musician must move air, creating vibrations which travel through an instrument made primarily out of metal; and that metal creates sound. It also makes me think about another instrument showcased at Orkney this June, its difference to Headspace and the lesson both instruments give us about creativity and performance.
The ancient Celtic periscope-shaped trumpets called Carnyx are also in concert at St. Magnus. I am reminded that of the furious academic debate surrounding the instrument as to whether or not their original performers had any idea how versatile their instruments were. Was it a war-horn or was it an instrument of priests, used in religious ritual, and, as some content, human sacrifice? Many scholars contend that with no knowledge of the musical scale, or even basic harmonic sequences, the Carnyxs' original performers may well only have yelled through them. Yet the flexibility of these ancient instruments astounds performers and academics alike. In all certainty we will never know how Carnyx were originally performed, though no-one argues they were played with anything like the style, knowledge and repertoire with which they can be played today. After more than a thousand years of ceaseless musical creativity, performers have returned to this ancient trumpet with its distinctive boars-head bell with entirely new ideas about its possibilities. If brass has a future, this will be echoed in hundreds of years' time, when performers return to examine the instruments and repertoire we play today, and marvel at the volume of notes, pieces and performances we wandered through without ever realising the latent potential within them for new things.
But not Clarence. Like all at the forefront of innovation, he must be resilient and brave: Headspace's freshness makes sure there is no such thing as a generic or lacklustre performance when he goes on stage in Orkney. This musician's bravery, single-mindedness and instrumental mastery should be a chastisement to any of we performers who blame our instruments for our own shortcomings, and to diffident music students everywhere. Headspace reminds me of the most important aspect of performance: that the art of playing a musical instrument does not rest in the fingers, or diaphragm, or embouchure - it lies in the resilience of the performer, and in the excited hearts and minds of the people listening to them play. You will see this link between Clarence and his audience forcefully in Orkney. His performance is an inspiration to a seasoned performer like me, on the cusp of retirement. Approaching my last concert, I am proud and heartened to see a first such as his.
Article courtesy of The Brass Herald
subscribe to The Brass Herald
May 2005
Back to Gloucester
Clarence goes back to Gloucester for more treatment for a couple of weeks at the end of May.
January 2005
Events reminder
If you arranging an event that helps or involves Clarence, please let us know about it. There's a simple form here and the publicity is free.
December 2004
Clarence in the Media
Clarence has been getting some fairly high profile media attention. Following participation in a Radio 3 broadcast of a Northern Sinfonia concert in September, Clarence's December has included more high profile media attention. At the beginning of the month he took part in an interview with Libby Purves in Radio 4's midweek programme (listen to it here) and later was featured in the Newcastle Evening Chronicle (read it here).
I wonder, has our star of the North-east outshone the opening of the Sage Centre???
(NB the external links may only be available for a limited time)
Brian Nichols
January 2004
Review of 2003
I wish you a very happy and peaceful new year.
Am I one year wiser now with another year experience on my shoulders ?
2003 has proved to be a very exciting year from the treatment side and a tough year for care cover due to sickness and holidays. Despite this the sun has shone through it all.
One of my earlier appointments in 2003 found me speaking to a management group in Edinburgh on Cultural Diversity. This got me thinking at the beginning of the year about labels or expectations that are put upon us.
Being on another disability board (which deals with all the different types of disability equipment) is making life fairly hectic with meetings that have to fit along side my Orchestra Animateur work.
The new music centre for the Northern Sinfonia (called The Sage Gateshead) has sprung up on the quayside which is due to be completed autumn 2004. This project has kept me off the streets working closely with the architects, looking at general access issues for the building.
The biggest disruption of the year came in September when I moved my home to Gloucester for 3 weeks for special Russian treatment with intensive physiotherapy. This involved moving most of my gear and carers down to a country bungalow.
I stayed in Gloucester for the duration whilst my carers were shipped back and forth every couple of days by train.
I was treated for four hours a day, five days a week for three weeks. I really enjoyed the challenge of such an intense work out. Everyday I was put on an electric exercise bike which did good work on my arms and legs. Among a whole host of different physical and mental challenges was an amazing hand held machine that would encourage the brain to renew old pathways. This machine is a result of a hand held device developed in Moscow for Russian astronauts. With only a few hours of usage my fingers started tingling again for the first time in eight years since the accident. This tingling does not guarantee future movement but we are a lot further along the track than ever before with more sensations and possibilities.
I'm on an exercise regime now I am home, to continue the progress I have made whilst planning a possible return trip back to the States in 2004.
December 2003 has just ended with me having finished reviewing another new brass CD; arrived at the end of another term of school workshops and university brass teaching; having prepared the local church brass group with their Christmas music but I’m realising that Newcastle United will not survive the next couple of weeks without me supporting their home games.
It has been a fantastic year for Trust concerts again, (not wanting to single one out) which have taken place from Newcastle down to the South coast. I am always humbled by the responses of these events and the loyalty and sincerity of people.
Its only as I print this update with an immense amount of gratitude to God and to you my encouragers that the words 'The Clarence Adoo Trust' takes on a real meaning.
Clarence Adoo
January 2004
Change of Web Host
Many apologies if you tried to reach this site in Mid-January. Service was suddenly withdrawn by our previous hosts without notice. We have therefore decided to part company and host the site with the webmaster's own company, Web-Wright Online Business Consultancy.
June 2003
Much Adoo About Clarence 3
The Salvation Army's Croydon Citadel was the venue for the third Much Adoo About Clarence Concert featuring a band composed of serving Salvationists and professional musicians. The music was chosen by Clarence.
On this occasion Clarence shared the compering of the concert with Conductor Bram Tovey. Soloists included Kevin Ashman of the International Staff Band with Golden Slippers and Patrick Harrild from the London Symphony Orchestra with Edward Gregson's Tuba Solo. Bram Tovey played a piano solo (Ray Steadman-Allen's Christ is the Answer) accompanied by the Band, which was conducted in this number by BM James Williams MBE of Enfield Citadel.
During the course of the evening, extracts from last year's BBC documentary were shown. One of the people in that documentary, Leonard from Marlow, arrived at the concert on his way back from Miami. Clarence gave some encouraging news that Russian doctors had managed to achieve a tingling sensation in his fingers and he is to undergo a course of treatment with them, which will take place in Gloucester.
read Peter Bale's concert report on 4Bars Rest
January 2003
Clarence updates on the happenings in 2002
2002
started earlier than most new years with my district nurse doing her
routine visit 2 hours ahead of schedule. Having got to bed late I almost
convinced her that I was pleased to see her by croaking out the greetings
of the season, with one eye open. I have appreciated that extra time
now with having so much to do.
The 
year got off to an exciting start with hours of filming booked in my
diary by the BBC to make a 30 minute documentary called The Trumpet
man to be based amazingly on my life pre- and post- accident. Shooting
finished in Miami where we landed just before Easter for my regular
18 monthly visit for treatment.
Before filming ended a new friend delivered a sophisticated custom built synthesised instrument that I can operate by blowing into a laptop computer. I had 1 hour and a half to understand it and get a tune before its début. This has given me another satisfying form of musical expression, which has great potential.
Late spring I received a one off contract to look at one of Newcastle's old public buildings from the angle of access for everybody, including with differing disabilities. We looked at various difficulties from travelling to and from such a building to, attitudes of employees, facilities and difficulties getting around the building to producing literature in helpful formats. I learned a lot from this project which was both physically and mentally challenging.
I am still very involved and enjoying my education work with the Northern Sinfonia Orchestra along with teaching and coaching brass students now from Newcastle and Durham University.
On the health front, keeping busy and active helps to keep me fit. Regular daily physio with my carers is still improving some of my upper body muscles and I am visiting a Newcastle hospital where the staff are working with me to re-develop my unparalysed internal stomach muscles. Of course, my biofeedback treatment continues; my next trip to the States is due late autumn next year.
I'd like to choose two more highlights from 2002. One involved some modelling work which came out of the television programme. This included wearing appropriate dress, driving my chair on to the set and pulling all sorts of faces whilst the cameras flashed away. I'm not sure who was fooling who!
The other highlight was a visit I did to a prison. It was requested
that I speak to some prisoners about my faith and disability. 
It
was a bleak, wintry night when I arrived and I was full of all sorts
of emotions – including fear. Meeting the prisoners and sharing
with them, I can only say has greatly enriched my life. The time I spent
with them flew by and I was soon told by a warden that I needed to depart
because the gates were soon to be locked for the night.
The Clarence Adoo Trust has had an effective year fund raising again towards this year's high treatment and equipment expenses. I want to thank you most sincerely for your support be it encouragement, prayers or financial which I don't take for granted.
I look forward to catching up with you during a peaceful, happy and blessed 2003.
Love
Clarence
Picture of The Trumpet Man courtesy BBC
August 2002
BBC TV documentary screened nationwide
The BBC has made a TV documentary about Clarence, called The Trumpet Man. It was originally broadcast in the North in March, but was seen by the rest of the country in August.
Mar 2002
Clarence visits Miami for more treatment
Clarence has spent another 2 weeks gaining specialist bio-feedback treatment in Miami. He reports that physical healing is taking place. Some feeling is returning to the top of his chest and back. He can lift his left arm off his arm rest and his fingers are still twitching, but not yet under his control.
The medical report shows encouraging signs of improvement. Clarence has authorised reproduction of part of the report here. It is a bit technical, but you'll get the gist of it.
On the left, the EMG biofeedback procedures were successful in gaining increases to the left anterior deltoids to 70% of normal and to the middle deltoids to near 40% of normal, which is significantly greater than what was achieve previously.
The right biceps are still showing only a few percent of normal. However, the left biceps were able to be increased to 35% of normal. The triceps were able to be increased to 12% of normal on the left and are still showing a trace on the right. The wrist extensors were able to be increased to about 5% of normal on the left and still show a trace on the right. The wrist flexors were able to be increased to about 4% of normal on the left, which is higher than previous and still show no voluntary control on the right. The finger extensors are just showing a trace of voluntary motor recruitment.
The paraspinal muscles at T2 to T4 made major gains to 70% of normal, which is higher than previous and at T4 to T6 also to 70% of normal. At T6 to T8 increases to 70% of normal were also able to be obtained. At T8 to T1O increases to 50% on the right and 35% on the left were able to be obtained, which is significantly greater than previous. At TlO to T12 increases to 14% of normal were able to be obtained. At T12 to L2 increases to about 5% were obtained. At L2 to L4 increases to about 3% of normal were obtained.
Overall, it is apparent that Mr. Adoo has an incomplete spinal cord injury at C4 and continues to experience some long term motor neuron recovery. He has responded to the EMG biofeedback procedures extremely well, gaining significant increases in voluntary motor neuron recruitment, greater than what was obtained previously. At this time an aggressive exercise and therapy program to strengthen the anterior and middle deltoids, biceps and triceps, as well as the upper paraspinal muscles, should result in greater strength and function. It is important for Mr. Adoo to return for another series of EMG biofeedback treatments.
Bernard S.
Brucker PhD., ABPP
Diplomate Rehabilitation Psychology
Associate Professor
Director, Biofeedback Laboratory
January 2002
A Clarence Adoo update on the year 2001
First allow me to sincerely wish you the very best for a happy and blessed 2002. I trust for more peace and happiness in this crazy world of ours.
Flicking back through my diary it is not too surprising that time seems to have vanished when an appointment of some sort appears almost daily.
My
job at Northern Sinfonia (Orchestra Animateur) involves creating and
taking part in new projects as well as writing monthly lectures based
on different composers. The projects, accompanied by numerous meetings
have naturally eaten up a fair chunk of time.
Early
on in the year I was given a project that I would happily repeat every
week of this year. 
This
involved contacting local schools offering them the opportunity to attend
a workshop with American trumpeter Wynton Marsalis during his visit
to Newcastle. This led to the press wanting a photo of Wynton and myself
both chatting about music and life, followed by a day of workshops where
I had to follow Wynton and the New York Lincoln centre jazz orchestra
around all day, ending up with a fantastic evening concert concluded
by a lock in with a few friends and Wynton for a meal in one of my favourite
restaurants.
2001 gave me several trips to London. These included some Trust concerts which were as always enjoyable, humbling and motivating.
The Trust is still receiving donations from all over the world, however there is a natural decline in fund raising events which is expected, making the balancing of the books for the future a matter of trust for the trust.
A Swedish magazine editor met me on a London trip last year and produced a couple of pages for a Swedish National paper, which has led to a trust concert being held this year in Sweden.
Arts council
meetings have made up the majority of trips to London, with an interesting
afternoon in particular spent at the House of Lords, Westminster. Another
highlight of the year was a trip to New York, during thankfully the
first week of September. A small part of the trip was business but I
got a taste of the buzz over there and I eagerly look forward to the
next excuse to get back.
Moving
on to the subject of health, with the North having its problems with
foot and mouth, my 
computer
recently getting the most serious virus ever in its life (resulting
in the last 18 months worth of emails disappearing), all's well with
myself. I have, to date, avoided all the other bugs and diseases that
have been common to man.
My chest and back, roughly a quarter down (or in Euros. 25%) seem to be getting more and more feeling and movement returning. The left arm is also noticeably stronger than last year, lifting higher and starting to move backwards and forwards. My fingers are still twitching but not necessarily under my commands.
Among some of the other exciting things I have to look forward to this current year, is a return third trip for the third time to the Miami clinic for further treatment.
Watch
this space.
I thank
God for looking after me and giving me another good year, and my older
brother Harry also for cooking my Christmas dinner (Maybe they should
be in two different sentences).
Happy
New Year
Love Clarence
October 2001
Ilford boosts Trust
A concert arranged by Ilford Salvation Army raised much needed funds for The Clarence Adoo Trust. Clarence [or to give him his formal SA title: Bandmaster Clarence Adoo (Retired)] was present to witness a superb evening presented by Enfield Citadel Band, Ilford Songsters and vocalist Darren Bartlett.
June 2001
Bob and David Childs
Salute Clarence
CDs and books to help Clarence were on sale a BAYW Cory Band's concert for Rayleigh Brass Training Band in Southend on Sea. Bob Childs conducted the band and his son David provided some fantastic solos. In case you don't know David is BBC Brass Young Musician of the Year 2000 and National Euphonium Player of the Year. Both Bob and David signed a copy of the programme for Clarence. David, who before his 20th birthday has achieved far more the majority of bandsmen do in their whole life, signed his message "in Great Admiration".
February 2001
Clarence meets Wynton Marsalis
Top Jazz trumpeter — and friend of Clarence — Wynton Marsalis performed in concert in Newcastle. Clarence went along to listen. The local paper The Journal covered the meeting of these two great trumpeters. Clarence said of the meeting:
"Wynton is a bit of a star. I have
always admired his ability on the trumpet for about 20 years now. He
is also a very kind down to earth friend, who I only get to see when
he is on tour. To have him coming to Newcastle was unexpected to begin
with. He as expected, brought the house down."
December 2000
Miami visit No 2
Hello! I am well and have been keeping fit, and busy.
After
3 weeks in Miami, Florida in October where the weather men tell you
that 76º Fahrenheit is a little chilly. I find myself back in reality
with temperatures of 40º F downwards and too worried about exposing
my electric chair to permanent lashes of rain.
The journey
to Miami went very smoothly helped along by British 
Airways
upgrade from the £450 standard class to the £3,000 business class seats.
I was treated like an important person until we arrived in Miami when
the primitive lifting of 4 guys carried me back to my wheelchair. The
chair looked as if it had missed me during the 9-hour flight.
Two nights and one day was all I had to turn myself around before my first visit back to the clinic. The first session of 5 that week was important because I only had 40 minutes with the physio to measure on computer my last 18 months progress before the doctor dictated the programme of work for the coming 3 weeks.
During
my clinic visits a computer would analyse the strength of my brain signals
to certain muscles. If a signal had made a pathway from the brain to
the appropriate muscle, this meant that the spinal chord damage (to
the cells) were either repairing or re-routing. After muscle stimulation
and vigorous physio for muscle building for several months on returning
to England, the Americans quite rightly, expect to see some controlled
movements starting to happen.
From my previous trip it was discovered that the left arm was receiving strong enough signals from the brain, which consequently has led to fairly good strength and mobility - possibly 35% of its normal strength. This left side now is starting to show brain signals to the left wrist and hopefully later to the fingers.
My right arm, which has not shown much promise before now, is registering stronger signals from the brain. My back/ shoulder muscle just below my neck injury is registering signals from the brain as strong as 80% of normal.
In
general my body has improved a very positive amount in the last 18 months
and is still after 5 years wanting to heal itself and working very hard
at doing so, slowly gaining feeling and mobility from the top downwards.
This news is again very positive and encouraging and so it falls upon me to continue to put these theories into action with the necessary physio.
Another
upgrade from British Airways flew me safely away from the 80º F of the
American Presidential elections of the USA to the 
October
Christmas tree at Heathrow airport and the fuel crisis in the flooded
state of England
Its nearly always good to be back.
Thank you again for your interest, encouragement and support enabling me to take advantage of these incredible facilities the other side of the world.
Clarence
Editor's comment: remember the doctors would not sanction physiotherapy when Clarence was discharged from hospital because they said it would achieve nothing. Clarence's determination and the financial support of friends for private physio sessions and the trips to Miami have made the impossible possible. Praise God for the miracle we see unfolding before us.
December 2000
The Compère's Handbook
Compère
Peter Hammerton has been the front man for Rayleigh Brass for thirty
years. He even won an award for compèring. Now he has decided
to share his tricks and secrets and some of his jokes. He has published
The Compère's Handbook. This book is a must for the aspiring
compère and a good read for any enthusiastic musician. And if
you don't like it you won't have wasted your money. As Peter says, it's
just the right thickness for stabilising a wobbly table!
The best bit is Peter is sharing his profits with Clarence.
September 2000
40th Birthday Party
On 25th
August Clarence reached the big 4 - 0! On Sept 2nd he had a party at
a London pizza restaurant. Clarence was in fine spirits (as always!)
and showed off how high he could now lift his left arm due to the physiotherapy
he has been doing. He said "at the next big party I'LL be cutting the
pizza".
I for one am looking forward to that party.
I took some pictures which can be seen here.
(Brian)
June 2000
Clarence Adoo Trust moves to new address
The new details are:
The Clarence Adoo Trust
4 Doncella Close
Chafford Hundred
Essex
RM16 6HB
Tel: 01375 481114
January 2000 - Millennium Message
Greetings and best wishes for the new Millennium from Clarence
WHEN I
was at school I undertook a project in which I was asked to imagine
what the world would be like in the year 2000 —
what style and
type of house we would be living in, what type of clothes we would be
wearing and so on. Ironically my house predictions were fairly accurate
as now most of my adaptations are completed, I have automatic doors and
lights, a hi-fi and computer system which come to life at a simple voice
command etc. As for clothes, I think the fashion has reverted back to
my school days!
This year has whizzed by, leaving me at times on the pavement watching life blaze by as I try to accept the fact that I can not do everything a speedily as I once use to.
My family have all kept well this year despite my foster mother [Vera] who at 91 years of age still bashes herself by occasionally tripping up at home and colliding with the furniture with the intention of saving the carpet from a few drops of tea.
I am keeping fit and well, since February, which saw me go down with a chest infection resulting in two weeks in hospital having my chest jumped upon three times a day by 3 physiotherapists. Some clouds do have silver linings! This ritual would take place normally directly after meal times.
At the end of April I returned from America from a highly motivating visit to a clinic in Miami. This trip highlighted areas of my body that showed potential for some recovery, (this being the left arm and the top of the back). Extra physio is developing my back and shoulder muscles and left arm which I can now use to nudge and prod cheeky carers. I am currently planning to return to Miami November-ish 2000 for further treatment and to see if other areas of my body have improved.
I have not tried blowing a trumpet recently
since having some voice training sessions to strengthen my diaphragm
or should I say my intercostal stomach muscles. My job title with the
Northern Sinfonia in Newcastle is Education Animateur. This
means bringing the music of the orchestra to life in the community.
It is proving to be a stimulating job, allowing me to create and lead
projects in all the different areas of the community. 
Privately I still teach at home. Freelance
work has included writing the odd snippets of music, sitting on a panel
for BBC young musician of the year, reviewing CDs, coaching brass groups,
examining, presenting and adjudicating etc. I serve on several Arts
Council Committees involving Education and Disabled people in the Arts,
which has improved my awareness of other disabilities as well as my
own and had me writing reports on the new disabled facilities of the
revamped Covent Garden opera house.
Emma Forbes who was involved in the accident with me is still fit and well and has moved to Edinburgh to take up a full time post working in the marketing and press department for the Edinburgh International festival.
I would like to thank you most sincerely for your support, encouragement and friendship during this past year which has been a great source of inspiration and motivation to me.
Have an enjoyable and blessed 2000
Clarence Adoo
September 1999 - Three Sopranos
I have received details of The Three Sopranos' CD Let Me Fly. A donation will be made to The Clarence Adoo Trust for every CD sold.
June 1999 - Web site updates
I have changed the guestbook to make it faster. It is now hosted on the same server as the main site, rather than a busy off-site server. Entries in the old guestbook have been deleted. The new guestbook will contain entries placed via the new entry page.
Please use the guestbook to send messages to Clarence. He reads them all. Please see the contacts page for more details.
I have introduced an events page which is quite sparse at the moment. I would like to make this a reference point for events raising money for Clarence. Please let me know of any events you are aware of. Thanks.
Any queries
regarding this site may be directed to me.
Brian Nichols (webmaster)
May 1999 - New hope from Miami
Clarence writes: I have just returned from a 3 week trip to Miami Florida, USA. Having been on a waiting list for a year at The University of Miami / Jackson Memorial Hospital. My appointment for treatment commenced the 5th April for 3 weeks.
The University houses 82 scientists whom are all working towards a cure for spinal cord injuries. It is said that this centre currently has the largest number of scientists in the world involved in this type of work under one roof, so you can imagine the sort of equipment generally around. My treatment involved working with the Bio-feedback team of physios, who using sophisticated computer software, monitored my brain signals on different parts of my upper body. The results of this work showed that if brain signals were not detected at first, a relearning and re routing of these brain signals can be achieved, using other nerves in the spinal cord column.
At the end of the 3 weeks the tests revealed that my brain was still communicating with all the upper parts of my body, including my wrist and fingers. This does not necessarily mean movement straight away but it is a good starting point. The main incredible news of the trip is that it is now down to me to get organised with a physio to get working towards some more movement back into my left arm and the top half of my trunk, which are the suggested areas which could progress to nearly normal use.
It is hoped that this physio treatment will in time stimulate other muscle groups lower down the body, possibly the wrists and fingers.
Watch this space!
The trip went well as you can imagine with good weather etc. The states is a great place to get around from a wheelchair point of view. The clinic want me to return in about a year to monitor my progress, to do further tests and make further working suggestions.
I'll keep you informed.
Many thanks for your support be it prayers, financial or general encouragement.
Love
Clarence
March 1999 Trust news
There are two Trust concerts happening in the next two weeks one in Elvet church, Durham, featuring a school wind band and the Fisburn brass band, both conducted by Ian Robinson on 25th March 7pm. The other concert is in London. John Wallace the trumpeter is holding a trumpet day at the Royal Academy London. The East London youth Band and Ilford songsters of the Salvation Army did a joint concert in Essex on the 13th February. The concert was very successful.
March 1999 Clarence's New Job
Those who have followed
Clarence's story since his accident in 1995 will know what progress he has
made, returning to work as Orchestral Manager and making a successful come-back
to the stage to narrate the Sinfonia's Children's Christmas Concert in 1997.
Now he is embarking on a move into the community and education department of
the orchestra as Education Animateur. The new role will see Clarence devising
and leading projects involving the orchestra working in the community.
Masked Ball - Saturday 15 May 1999
Emma Forbes is
currently organising another fundraising ball to help raise funds for The
Clarence Adoo Trust and the trip to Miami University. The Ball will be held at
the Old Assembly Rooms, Newcastle upon Tyne and will feature the blues and rock
and roll band, The Commandments, George MacDonald's Virtuoso Jazz Trio and
other entertainment’s. Tickets priced £28 include a complimentary
drinks reception and a three course dinner. Further details and ticket
application forms can be obtained by calling Emma Forbes on 0191 240 1812
ext.214.
March 1999 Clarence goes to Miami
In April 1999, Clarence makes an exciting trip across the Atlantic to the Jackson Memorial Hospital. This is part of the University of Miami, where Clarence will undergo groundbreaking treatment.
The Centre contains a pioneering Biofeedback Laboratory which uses a combination of sophisticated computerised equipment to track where there is a potential for movement, and physiotherapy to maximise that potential. The technique has produced some amazing results although nothing is guaranteed. There is no such treatment available in Europe and Miami is the only centre in the world which offers treatment to people outside its own country. Clarence will be in Miami for three weeks where he will visit the centre every day. He will then be sent home with a rigorous physiotherapy routine to follow and if there is further potential to develop he will be asked to make a return trip to the centre.
September 1998
Arm movement
The doctors said it wouldn't
happen. They don't know how it has happened but it has. Clarence can move his
left arm. 
This is nothing less than a miracle. With
that arm hanging loose down by his side and with a small weight attached to the
wrist, Clarence can raise his arm through about 80°. From his normal
position – that is hands flat on a cushion on his lap – he can move
his left arm laterally by about 6 inches. Clarence has
always said that he will play the trumpet again — and this is positive
news in the right direction!
Daily life
Clarence is become quite adept at manipulating his computer and telephone by blowing into a tube. He has an infra-red pointer attached to his head which moves the mouse. As well as performing his duties for Northern Sinfonia, he manages to fit some teaching in. Unfortunately, Clarence's efforts to support himself fall far short of the estimated £100,000 a year he needs just to keep his house running, so he still needs his friends' help.
House upgraded
Clarence spent most of the Summer away from home. No, he wasn't enjoying a world cruise. He was keeping out of the way to allow builders to make further alterations to his house. Clarence has a bath that he can get in and out of through a door in the side of the bath. Doors in the house have photo-electric beams so they open on his approach. Clarence is very happy with these improvements and still remains very upbeat about his situation.June 1996 -Clarence moves in
In June 1996, Clarence moved into his new house. Away from the hospital, he cannot be given physiotherapy, because he is not on the verge of walking. However, to Clarence, physiotherapy is the most important part of his care. It is expected to cost around £1560 per year. The South-east Essex Friends of Clarence have pledged to pay for this for at least 5 years.
Due a small problem in sorting out carers, Clarence had to return to Hexham hospital one week after moving in until things can be sorted out. This is just another blow that he took in his stride.
Now his care has been sorted out and his house has been fitted with a vertical lift Clarence is pleased. He can use his bedroom. He now can use four rooms instead of two.
In February 1997 Clarence got a computer that he can operate with his mouth. This means he can start working again to a certain extent. It's just a matter of learning the software first!
Having got used to the computer, Clarence was appointed Orchestra Manager for the Northern Sinfonia. He also started taking private pupils. This is amazing. Clarence loves his music, but cannot perform it. Nevertheless he's wholeheartedly embracing music in this way. If it was me, I would be too frustrated and take up something else instead. But Clarence is made of sterner stuff!