The 2017 music video for Clean Bandit’s hit song “Symphony” has over 1.7 billion views on YouTube, making it one of the most popular music videos of all time. The video features a touching storyline about a deaf girl who dreams of being a ballerina and the conductor who helps her achieve her goal. But what about the conductor? Was he really deaf or was it just acting?
The Conductor In Symphony Music Video
The conductor in the Symphony music video is played by Mark Elder, a real-life British conductor who is not deaf. Elder is the music director of the Hallé Orchestra in Manchester, England, and has conducted many of the world’s leading orchestras, including the London Philharmonic Orchestra and the New York Philharmonic.
The Deaf Ballerina In Symphony Music Video
The deaf ballerina in the Symphony music video is played by 18-year-old Mackenzie Foy, who is not deaf in real life. Foy is an American actress and model who is best known for her roles in the Twilight Saga films and the Disney film The Nutcracker and the Four Realms.
The Inspiration Behind The Symphony Music Video
The Symphony music video was inspired by a real-life story of a deaf ballerina named Stephanie Millner. Millner was born deaf and dreamed of becoming a ballerina. She started taking ballet classes at the age of three and eventually became a professional dancer.
The Storyline Of Symphony Music Video
The storyline of the Symphony music video follows a deaf girl named Lily who dreams of being a ballerina. She attends a ballet performance with her mother and becomes enamored with the conductor, played by Mark Elder. Lily starts taking ballet classes and with the help of the conductor, she is able to audition for a ballet school. The video ends with a heartwarming scene of Lily performing on stage with the orchestra.
The Sign Language Used In Symphony Music Video
The Symphony music video features a lot of sign language, which was important to the storyline since Lily is deaf. The sign language used in the video is American Sign Language (ASL), which is the most commonly used sign language in the United States. The ASL interpreter in the video is Rachel Shenton, who won an Academy Award for Best Live Action Short Film for her film The Silent Child, which also deals with deafness.
The Reception Of Symphony Music Video
The Symphony music video was well-received by fans and critics alike. Many praised the video’s heartwarming storyline and the use of sign language to tell the story. The video also helped raise awareness about deafness and the challenges faced by deaf people in pursuing their dreams.
Conclusion
Although the conductor in the Symphony music video was not deaf, the video still had a powerful impact on viewers and helped raise awareness about deafness and the challenges faced by deaf people. The video’s heartwarming storyline and use of sign language made it a standout in the world of music videos and helped cement Clean Bandit’s place as one of the most popular bands in the world.
