Stephen Torrence’s Sign Language Concert

The world of silence met the world of music, and sign language became the bridge. On May 16, 2014, Poznań witnessed a remarkable concert in which words and sounds were transformed into gestures. The audience discovered that music can not only be heard — it can also be felt.

That Friday, Aula Artis at the Higher School of Humanities and Journalism in Poznań hosted the first European concert of Stephen Torrence, the American performer known for interpreting some of the world’s greatest hits in American Sign Language (ASL). Organized by the educational platform MIGAJ.EU and WSNHiD, the event brought together a diverse audience — hearing and Deaf, young and old, united by their interest in art, accessibility, and gesture as a universal language of emotion.

On stage, Torrence presented, among others, a specially prepared ASL interpretation of Scorpions’ Wind of Change. He was joined by artists from the MigArt Foundation, who performed songs in Polish Sign Language (PJM), including Deaf participants themselves. The concert also featured the Polish Grobanites — the Polish Josh Groban Fan Association — who signed You Raise Me Up in ASL.

Also appearing were Piotr Szumlas and Jakub Zaborski, winners of the 5th edition of Must Be The Music. Their songs, including Emotions, were interpreted into sign language. Students of WSNHiD also joined in, performing three pieces in PJM, including Do Ani by Kult and Na nowo by MEZO, who appeared on stage as well.

The event was comprehensively interpreted into sign language, Polish, and English, with the support of professional interpreters. Open to the public and free of charge, the concert became a powerful gesture for inclusion, visibility, and cultural accessibility.