Benefits for the Musicians
Highly trained professional musicians use a variety of instruments and styles to produce a varied programme designed to stimulate responses from dementia sufferers who are unable to walk, talk or communicate in any way.
The interactive performances not only provide stimulation and enjoyment to the lives of dementia sufferers, but have increased the confidence and performance quality of the musicians involved.
“After a few Lost Chord concerts, I found my regular recital work had undergone something of a transformation. There was an extra dimension, a personal message to everyone in the audience that wasn’t there before.”
Classical singer Patricia Hammond
Musicians have displayed a dramatic change in their approach both to their audience and to their musical sessions with the dementia sufferers. They have been encouraged to become more physically involved – a tactile approach to dementia sufferers has proved extremely successful.
Musicians kneeling down and singing or playing to individuals, stroking their hands and engaging eye contact have elicited amazing responses. The benefits to musicians are endless. It opens up a whole new world of appreciation on a level which they would not normally encounter. It stimulates their sensitivity towards the needs of dementia sufferers and enables them to develop a new capacity to heighten the sufferers’ individual response to music.
“We had lots of requests for Elton John, the Carpenters and the Beatles. Brian loved playing the tambourine to the Beatles- thought he was Ringo Starr! Gary, a new resident, was in a coma. We played Beatles songs, but with “Yesterday” he stirred. One of the carers could pick out sounds- a huge reaction- and his body was moving. I then moved the harp and played some more music of this genre. There were more reactions (he used to be a musician). The carers were in tears which caused a lot more around the room. It was very emotional and very moving. I have never experienced anything like this. We were very moved.”
Jill Padfield and Amanda Whiting
"It is almost impossible for me to write in words how much I have gained both as a musician and a person since working for Lost Chord.
Lost Chord has provided me with a wonderful opportunity to perform, and I feel I have gained in confidence, learnt to communicate on a different level with my audiences, and have learnt so much about people and society through my involvement on this very special scheme.
A few of the highlights, I find myself frequently referring to the time that we played in one home, where staff commented that they have never known their residents to sit so quietly and show their appreciation in such a positive way; asking for requests, applauding loudly, asking questions about our careers/instruments to mention a few. It was clear that the therapeutic, reflecting and calming effect of the music had an enormously strong impact on all those present; residents and their loved ones as well as staff and carers.
I have been reduced to tears by a resident, who was finding the nostalgic sound of the cello so utterly over-whelming that he couldn't control his emotions. I felt extremely valued that I was able to use my cello in order to install confidence and a feeling of self worth in people, many of whom have had difficult times in their life, and dace the future with sometimes frightened and worried emotions, especially relating to their declining health. To be able to give and see the rewards so quickly when you have made somebody feel in a certain way is a wonderful thing to feel as an artist. it is these and so many other wonderful experiences and memories that would take all day to list, that I will always treasure throughout my life."
Stephen Buck
More musicians are always welcome to join us and experience wonderful, life changing moments like this. Full training is given. Please contact Helena at the office.
In addition to organising concerts for dementia sufferers in the white community preparations are taking place to co-opt Black and Asian musicians onto the scheme. This would mean that a regular monthly concert could be organised in the Black and Asian day centre at Park Lea in Rotherham by the end of 2005.
Case study: Nightingale House
"In view of the fact that we are approaching the conclusion of the first year of our exciting programme of music with Lost Chord, I felt that I would like to take the opportunity to express my sincere thanks to all of your team for the way that they have engaged their skills in communication and music in reaching out to our residents.
Music has always been an important tool of engagement to people of all levels of cognitive function, but there is clear evidence to demonstrate how effectively it enriches the lives of people with dementia.
Although all of these other projects have had a certain amount of success I feel that the type of interaction that is provided by “Lost Chord” has a degree of accessibility to people living with dementia that somehow has superseded anything else I have experienced.
There is clear evidence to demonstrate that the musicians have not only an extremely high standard of expertise, but they seem to have developed a real understanding of an elderly client group and know how to communicate in a way which embraces people’s dignity by allowing them to discover the power of healing through music.
It has been wonderful to share in moments when the music has facilitated a freedom to dance, or whether there is a moment of reminiscence and reflection where people’s life experience is validated through the choice of programme.”
Alastair Addison, Head of Activities, Nightingale House