Encore for pioneering musical project
NewsNews Story
A programme of musical workshops culminated in a memorable performance after another collaboration between Mid Suffolk District Council, national charity Orchestras Live, and a renowned professional orchestra reached its conclusion.
Over the past weeks, the ‘A Place for Music’ programme has been run by musicians from Britten Sinfonia, with workshops taking place at Hartismere Day Club, Uvedale Hall care home, Chilton Meadows (in partnership with Wood Ley Community Primary School), Red Gables and the Rookery Bowling Club.
The workshops, attended by older residents, vulnerable people and those living with long-term health conditions like dementia or Parkinson’s, have been helping to tackle social isolation and bring communities together through the shared joy of live music.
On Wednesday, 12 March, two final, free concerts were held at the John Peel Centre in Stowmarket to mark the end of the project by performing some of the music made at the workshops, with all those who took part in the previous workshops invited to attend.
At the concert, Britten Sinfonia also performed a selection of well-known favourites for the crowd while everyone took the time to reflect on what had been achieved during the project.
Cllr Tim Weller, Mid Suffolk District Council cabinet member for environment, culture and wellbeing, said:
Yet again, the wonderful musicians at Britten Sinfonia and our partners at Orchestras Live have helped us to share the magic of live music with residents in what has been another successful project. Music helps us to tap into thoughts and feelings that words never could, so it’s been a pleasure to engage with people connecting with these sessions and each other.
Stuart Bruce, Senior Creative Producer at Orchestras Live, said:
Orchestras Live is delighted to be co-producing another exciting place-based project with Mid Suffolk Council and Britten Sinfonia. Building on the successful outcomes of last year’s partnership, we have extended the reach this time to include children as well as adults and older people in care settings. This inclusive approach adds further to the Council’s objectives for supporting all residents in the community, bringing people together to share and celebrate the creativity that is prevalent in the different generations of Mid Suffolk.
This is the latest programme in the long-standing partnership between Mid Suffolk District Council and Orchestras Live. Last year, the Musical Memories programme also culminated with a performance at the John Peel Centre.
