Musicians from the music charity Armonico Consort, sang and played for residents at the Hollies Care Centre on Friday 8th of September, alongside TV presenter, wine expert and singer Oz Clarke.
The group visited the care home as part of their 200-mile fundraising bike challenge. They are aiming to raise £20,000 to support valuable singing projects for people living with dementia.
The musicians entertained The Hollies and Holly Oak residents with Armonico’s trademark mix of beautiful baroque music and well-known songs. Listeners, including those living with dementia, were encouraged to sing along, clap and play percussion instruments.
A resident commented “It was such a lovely afternoon with beautiful singers performing as if they were on a theatre stage. The pieces from the musicals were wonderful especially with so many people singing along. It was also nice to enjoy a BBQ on The Terrace with family members and friends.”
“The transformational effect of music is incredible, especially on people living with dementia,” says Oz Clarke, himself a former professional singer. “When we arrive, the place is silent and when we leave, we’re leaving a party. Music seems to stay in people’s minds when much else has been lost. That’s the reason we’re cycling 200 miles for a fifth successive year. We couldn’t be more grateful to The Hollies Care Centre for supporting this tour and Armonico’s mission to set up more Memory Singers choirs.”
The musicians are giving mini-performances at six care homes along the 200 mile route from Armonico’s base in Warwick, via the ‘Three Choirs’ of Worcester, Hereford and Gloucester, to Wells Cathedral in Somerset.
The Hollies Care Centre is a proud to sponsor of Armonico Consort supporting the team’s cycling tour and raising an additional £1,000 towards the charity appeal. Armonico aim to reach their target of £20,000 before the end of September, enabling them to set up more Memory Singers choirs for people living with dementia and their carers. For details visit www.armonico.org.uk/bike2023
Armonico Consort thanks Roger Medwell MBE DL, and Paul Rivers and Tractivity for their sponsorship, and also Bludog, Stratford Bike Hire and The Hollies Care Centre for their support.