Sorry folks, but I am going to steal with pride a line from Our Demetia Choir which is “Music as Medicine”.
The concert yesterday evening between our choir and Our Demetia Choir was an unalloyed joy. The audience were immediately engaged in the performances of both choirs and by the end of the evening everyone was involved to the exclusion of all worries and concerns.
Our choir, despite the heatwave temperatures, sang well. Ian had selected some of our favourite songs to complement the programme of our guest choir. As we performed Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, African Trilogy, Shine and other favourites you could feel the atmosphere in the room; it was one of deep interest and expectation. Daniela Smith the talented arranger, singer, music director and motivator, had arranged, as part of their performance, 33 songs into 6 sing along medleys (War Medley, Rogers and Hammerstein Medley, Beatles Medley, Cavern Stars Medley, Assembly Bangers and Festival Dance Medley) to aid recall and enjoyment of the Our Dementia Choir. They were so committed and enthusiastic and as soon as they sang their first song, “Stand By Me”, they had captured the hearts of the whole room. Everyone was singing along and sat in anticipation of what was to come.
The penultimate song of the first half was performed beautifully by Daniela. Time to Say Goodbye is such a tender and well-known song and everyone was spellbound as she sang with emotion and beautiful pitch. This was followed by You’ll never Walk Alone enthusiastically sung by both choirs and most of the audience. The finale piece Sweet Caroline was performed with energy and pleasure by both choirs and all the audience. Audience participation was unavoidable, and standing ovations abounded to acknowledge the excitement in the room. It was palpable. This was truly Music and Medicine personified.
The Our Dementia Choir website claims “We at Our Dementia Choir firmly believe in the incredible power of music to bring happiness, connection, and comfort to those affected by dementia. Our choir is more than just a singing group; it’s a secure space where the therapeutic effects of music extend beyond the boundaries of memory. It is proven.
Thanks to everyone involved to make it happen particularly the two MD’s, Maureen our accompanist, comperes Paul Bennett and Jess Johnson,
Al Roberts for his professional marshaling of our choir on and off the stage and of course the audience without whom there is no concert.
Particular thanks go to the choristers of both choirs who provided a truly remarkable evening of entertainment.
This concert will rest long in the memory and one commentator said “it was good to see the male voice choir members let their hair down” – not so easy for those of us who are follically challenged, but you get the idea.
In the corner of the photograph, posted on facebook, is Vicky McClure the founder of the choir. What super innovation and life enhacing idea.
A Top event that has to go down in our choir history,a very special event enjoyed by everyone in the massive room .
A very well written report, as usual, matching the quality and content provided by both choirs.
A moving yet very positive evening for all attending which, I am sure, will long remain in their memories.
What a concert !!!!
Despite the heat, the audience reaction throughout the evening, proved what a success it was. To see everyone up singing, dancing along was a joy to see.
Just to show that music can cross all barriers.
For information:-
The picture in the bottom right hand corner shows Vicky watching the concert by means of facetime. She was actually jigging away to the finale song by the two choirs. She was then totally moved when she was shown the whole audience on their feet singing and jigging about.
Sometimes there is a ‘concert’, sometimes there is a ‘great night out’, This was both. The view from the choir of the audience standing, dancing, waving to Sweet Caroline is something we don’t always get at our concerts!
Clearly the audience had come to take part. No jackets, no ties, arms waving about..and that was just our choir! More please.