A renowned charity orchestra is set to swap bustling concert halls for an “extraordinary” intimate performance for patients on the dementia ward at Salford Royal Hospital.
The award-winning Manchester Camerata has dazzled audiences on the Pyramid Stage at Glastonbury Festival and the Royal Albert Hall.
Away from the grand stages, the internationally acclaimed musicians have found time to tour the country, performing free concerts in unexpected spaces to showcase the “transformative power” of accessible music.
The initiative has seen the orchestra perform in dementia wards and care homes across the country as part of their Music in Mind programme, which ensures world-class music remains available to all.
Manchester Camerata has teamed up with Goofus, a touring theatre company creating original pieces with mask, puppetry, clowning, play and music aimed at audiences who may not be able to easily access performances.
A public performance will take place in the lobby at 1.30 pm on 17 September, before patients get to experience a special closed performance in the dementia ward.
Jon Jones, the Deputy Head of Patient Experience at the Northern Care Alliance NHS Foundation Trust (NCA), hailed the “special project” and the joy it will bring to Salford Royal Hospital patients.
“We are pleased to be working with Goofus Theatre and Manchester Camerata to collaborate on this special project to support people living with dementia through the power of music and performance,” he told Salford Now.
“Creating meaningful moments for those in, or visiting, hospital can help reduce anxiety, improve wellbeing, and offer something unexpected and extraordinary.
“This initiative is part of our commitment to providing compassionate, person-centred care and enhancing the experience of people receiving care across our hospitals.”
Meanwhile, the orchestra will be running free, drop-in taster sessions during the autumn as part of the Music in Mind initiative.
These sessions will run in all ten Greater Manchester boroughs throughout the weekend and will be open to anyone living with dementia and their carers.
They are designed specifically to enable those living with dementia to experience the joy and mental health benefits of live music in a safe and inclusive environment – supported by Camerata’s professional music therapists.
Bob Riley, Chief Executive of Manchester Camerata, said: “Of the thousands of people we reached last year, over 400 people told us in detailed feedback that music is vital to living well.
“The number 1 request was for immersive performances in unusual spaces. As a response, this year we are performing minimal masterworks in a car park in Stretford, we’re bringing a story to life in the ‘Living Worlds’ Gallery of Manchester Museum, as well as performing Brian Eno’s ambient masterpiece, ‘Music for Airports’, live from Terminal 2 at Manchester Airport.
“This is what Here We Are is all about. Engaging with many different voices from many different places, bringing us all together through the power of music.”
More information on Manchester Camerata’s unique tour of Greater Manchester can be found here.
