Live music with exercise/singing workshops in residential homes

To use a group of four wind instruments (flute, oboe, clarinet, bassoon) to provide a series of enjoyable, engaging, simulating and therapeutic workshops to enhance the well-being of residents allowing them to exercise gently to music (if appropriate), sing, reminisce, contribute to the music with percussive instruments, and relax.

Why they need our service

* Many in Care Homes are isolated and lonely 'Your visit was a breath of fresh air'. * Our evaluations show sessions 'so much more alive' with musicians present. * Professional musicians provide a quality of musical experience that these elderly folk deserve but homes cannot afford. * Research (Sherrat et al) shows that '...live music was significantly effective in increasing levels of engagement and well-being regardless of levels of cognitive impairment.'

Plan and expected results

Here are some comments from previous workshops. Building on our existing experience, we would expect future workshops to be even better. 'I thought you were brilliant'. 'It was nice to hear about the instruments and how they sounded on their own. Enjoyed it all very much. Thank you!' 'Loved it...more!' 'Very enjoyable. Nice to watch the music being played'. 'I loved getting up to dance. I wasn't going to come - very glad I did. I think they are very good'.

Latest activities and projects

Live music with exercise/singing workshops in residential homes

To use a group of four wind instruments (flute, oboe, clarinet, bassoon) to provide a series of enjoyable, engaging, simulating and therapeutic workshops to enhance the well-being of residents allowing them to exercise gently to music (if appropriate), sing, reminisce, contribute to the music with percussive instruments, and relax. read more

Music Drama Workshop based on the Opening Ceremony of the Olympic Games

We will take a wind quintet into 3 Sussex Special Schools with 6 workshops in each. We will engage the children in a stimulating, rewarding development experience based on the theme of the Opening Ceremony of the Olympic Games, using music and drama. The children will help create the story, act out the drama and accompany New Harmonie using classroom instruments. They will present the resulting performance to other children in their school, staff, parents and invited guests. read more