Musicians Lost Chord uses highly trained professional musicians to produce a varied programme of music using a variety of instruments and styles designed to stimulate responses in particular from dementia sufferers who are unable to walk talk or communicate in any way. This variety coupled with the monthly frequency and a very tactile approach from the musicians and volunteers has proved tremendously successful. These young musicians who are often straight out of their schools of music benefit from the opportunity of performing to a live audience at a time when they are embarking on a career in music (see benefits). The area of the brain associated with musical patterns seems to remain responsive well after the ability to speak has diminished. This seems to be why someone who is unable to talk can sing all the words to a familiar song in the right order. Musicians are encouraged to tap into this area of the brain by involving their audience in their use of percussion instruments, clapping in time to the music, dancing or swaying to the rhythm and singing to familiar songs. Simple question and answer techniques can also be successful in stimulating responses and encouraging a sense of achievement among the dementia sufferers. Musicians are selected who have a desire to work with dementia sufferers and a willingness to be adaptable to the needs of their audience while still maintaining a degree of professional integrity towards their own level of musical ability.  We are investing in the creative talents of young musicians. Due to the high standard of professionalism necessary to handle this type of audience the scheme needs to attract musicians from all over the country. In particular from the London area where the concentration of work is available to sustain their livelihood. Therefore the musicians are offered a weeks tour of work in South Yorkshire from Monday to Friday and are accommodated on a self catering basis in a two bedroomed house rented by the scheme for that purpose. Auditions Auditions for singers and instrumentalists interested in working on the Lost Chord Scheme and committed to this type of work will take place at The National Opera Studio, London on an annual basis.  Please contact the Lost Chord Office if you are interested. Click here for a fact sheet on auditions

Volunteers In the latter part of 2003 we appointed 5 volunteers to visit homes and assist the musicians in their efforts to stimulate responses form dementia sufferers and other residents. The number of Volunteers has tripled over the last year. However there is always a need for more Volunteers. If you feel you could help to make a difference to the lives of dementia sufferers in the Homes throughout the scheme or would like further information on how you could contribute please don’t hesitate to contact us (see contact information). “For the right person this is extremely rewarding work with lots of variety. You will not fail to be moved by the impact that music can have on individuals in the different stages of dementia.” Volunteers attend one concert a week and tend to go back to the same homes every month to build up a valuable relationship with the residents and their carers. They are asked to arrive before the concert is due to start in order to give time to talk to the residents introducing themselves and ascertaining the residents names. Referring to each resident by name is a crucial part to their success in initiating responses from people who wouldn’t normally show any reaction or who wouldn’t normally become involved in other activities. During the concert the volunteers help the residents to interact with the music by dancing, singing, and playing percussion. Each year we hold an annual buffet supper for volunteers where there is an opportunity to meet Trustee's and exchange stories and experiences about Lost Chord. Every year a different volunteer is nominated by the musicians to receive the Lost Chord 'Crystal Bowl Award'. Past winners have been Hugh Bland, Mary Bilton, Janet Cole and Pauline Masheder with the 'Treble Clef Award' received by Helen Gilbert and Julie Townend. Check the website in December to find out who will be the lucky Volunteer of the Year for 2008.

Three volunteers recieving awards at the 2005 annual buffet supper at Hellaby Hall.