On Wednesday, October 11th at 7 p.m., the Joynes Reading Room (CRD 007) will host a free public talk by Dr. Richard Fish, entitled “What Makes Blind Musicians So Gifted?” Dr. Richard Fish is both an ophthalmologist (specializing in retinal surgery), and an experienced musician (rock and jazz drums). His book The Blind Musician explores the connection between visual disability and musical performance. The book provides a crash course in musical history, from George Frederick Handel and Johann Sebastian Bach (who were probably blinded by the same ophthalmic quack), through the long legacy of blind blues artists in the American south, the blind minstrel tradition of Ukraine, a blind orchestra in Cairo who cannot see their conductor, and many notable contemporary musicians such as Doc Watson, Ray Charles and Stevie Wonder. Dr. Fish combines the fascinating biographies of these individuals with discussions of their individual medical issues. He explores the connection between visual impairment and musical aptitude. Dr. Fish has also created a Spotify playlist (of some of his favorite blind musicians, which might be of interest to students who plan to attend the lecture. You can find that playlist here:

https://player.spotify.com/user/rhfretdoc/playlist/5iCjdYRfZVh3sCdVu6lzZ2.

The Joynes Reading Room has a limited number of free copies of The Blind Musician, which we will give away to UT honors students on a first-come basis. To request a free book, inquire in person at the front desk of the Joynes Reading Room.