Member Article

Orchestra in tune with care home residents

A partnership between one of the UK’s leading orchestras and a Withernsea care home has revealed some budding musicians and composers.

Tamarix Lodge residents have worked alongside members of the Manchester Camerata Orchestra, to produce their own music, which members of the orchestra recently performed at the Meridian Centre, a community hub in Withernsea.

Musicians from the Manchester Camerata have been visiting residents and staff at Tamarix Lodge and performing classical music, as well as delivering creative sessions to encourage residents to interact and take part.

Alison Bedford, manager of Tamarix Lodge, said: “Our residents were thrilled when I told them that the orchestra would be performing some of their music at their concert in the Meridian Centre. It was lovely to watch the orchestra perform and see how enthusiastic and engaged the residents were.

“It was great to be able to welcome the Manchester Camerata to Tamarix Lodge. Their performances and sessions have had such a positive impact on our residents and have definitely brought out some budding musicians and music enthusiasts.”

Penni Brown, chief executive of the Hica Group which operates Tamarix Lodge, said: “We are committed to providing residents with engaging activities, which are person centred and enable everyone to get involved. It is wonderful to see the difference that the orchestra’s sessions have brought to Tamarix Lodge.”

The performances from members of the Manchester Camerata orchestra are part of two initiatives – Camerata in the Community, where musicians visit care homes and schools across the country to deliver creative, participant led performances and sessions, and ‘Classically Yours’.

Arts Council England, East Riding Council and national music charity Orchestras Live, have funded and delivered the ‘Classically Yours’ initiative, which was designed to bring more live classical music performances to Hull and East Riding, in celebration of Hull City of Culture 2017.

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by The Hica Group .