previews, reviews, interviews, and recommendations with Steve Cooke
MIDWEEK COLUMN WEDNESDAY 23 OCTOBER 2024
MANCHESTER CAMERATA’S CENTRE OF EXCELLENCE FOR MUSIC AND DEMENTIA STARTS WEEKLY MUSIC CAFÉS FOR PEOPLE LIVING WITH DEMENTIA AND THEIR CARERS ACROSS ALL 10 BOROUGHS OF GREATER MANCHESTER
Preview by Steve Cooke
Following its successful bid earlier this year to launch the UK’s First Centre of Excellence for Music and Dementia – having secured major financial support from Mayor Andy Burnham, The NHS in Greater Manchester and The Power of Music Fund from the National Association of Social Prescribing – Manchester Camerata is bringing its ground-breaking Music in Mind programme for people living with dementia to all 10 Greater Manchester boroughs from Monday 15th October in partnership with The Alzheimer’s Society and the University of Manchester.
Music Cafés for people living with dementia and their carers will run weekly in community centres, church halls and dementia support groups in Bolton, Bury, Manchester, Oldham, Rochdale, Salford, Stockport, Tameside, Trafford and Wigan & Leigh. Each Music Café provides in the moment’ person-centered care for people living with dementia based upon Camerata’s award winning Music in Mind techniques.
Manchester Camerata believes everyone deserves access to this life changing support. At each Music Café- participants – i.e. those living with dementia and their carers - are invited to take part in music making using a wide range of percussive instruments (no previous musical experience needed). The sessions create a meaningful conversation without words.
As part of this Centre of Excellence café initiative across Greater Manchester - Camerata will also train over 300 members of the public (to be called Music Champions) in their Music in Mind techniques - eventually enabling them to run their own Music Cafés. To help recruit these Music Champions and set up Music Cafés, Manchester Camerata will be working with local partners in each borough, including Age UK, Mind, Together Dementia Support, HMR Circle and Bolton Dementia Support. The training of Music Champions to run these sessions will directly support over 1000 people living with dementia in Greater Manchester over the next three years.
Together Manchester Camerata and Alzheimer’s Society – who will be upscaling their weekly Singing for The Brain sessions - will collaborate with The University of Manchester and NHS GM to undertake anonymized data-driven research into the impact of these music sessions for people living with dementia.
The aim of the Centre of Excellence is the creation of a true partnership between health and care providers, voluntary organisations, music providers and dementia support organisations. It will test new approaches to embedding music as part of dementia care, gather evidence of cost savings for the NHS and design new models of care which could be scaled up and spread across England.
Andy Burnham, Mayor of Greater Manchester comments: “I know from my own experience how tough dementia can be for families. Sadly, too many people across Greater Manchester will know the pain and the frustration of seeing a loved one going through this disease. But they will also know the dedication and compassion of those doing all they can to care for the people affected. The work that Manchester Camerata and its partners are doing to improve lives and embed music into dementia healthcare is more important than ever. These music cafes will offer crucial support for people living with dementia across our city-region and provide a national model for a more integrated approach to health and social care policies.”
Janet Fulton, Principal Percussion with Manchester Camerata and Music in Mind practitioner comments: “Running these dementia Music Cafés for over a decade in care homes, community groups and supported living settings, has been one of the greatest highlights, and most rewarding part of my career. Witnessing first-hand the impact and pure joy that our wonderful participants experience through them leading our musical interaction with instruments, gestures and sounds, is a real privilege. And to see their carers visibly relax during these sessions and help them reconnect with their loved ones and residents through music is an incredible honour and such a special opportunity as a musician. I have been able to witness first-hand the real transformative effect music has on people’s lives, and how music fundamentally is about communication.”
Manchester Camerata’s Music in Mind dementia Music Cafés will run weekly across all ten boroughs from week commencing 14th October.
For further details of timings and venues please visit MusicinMind.org
Rochdale Music Café, The Strand Community Hub, Community Hub, Kirkholt, 17 The Strand, Rochdale, OL11 2JG
Every Tuesday at Rochdale Music Café for people living with dementia and their carers! Please arrive at 1.30pm for a 2:00pm start. Free to attend for all people with dementia and their carers with complimentary tea, coffee & biscuits. No music experience required! To let us know you’re going to come, or for more information, please email: hello@hmrcircle.org.uk or phone: 01706 751165.
Concert pianist returns to TLC
Review by Dr Joe Dawson
This recital marked a welcome return to the Toad Lane Concerts at St Mary in the Baum for concert pianist John Sabar.
John was born into a musical family and grew up between England and South-East Asia. He performed regularly on various instruments with his siblings throughout his childhood, and in the sixth form achieved DipABRSM at the piano. After graduating with First-Class Honours from the University of York he received a scholarship to the RNCM where he gained his Master’s. Now he performs and teaches the piano in and around Manchester as a freelance musician.
John really put the heritage 1935 Challen Grand through its paces last time, and eagerly approached it following its recent refurbishment. The instrument initially came along with the lunchtime concerts at the closure of the former Arts & Heritage Centre when the council them handed over. This was the 1,108th concert since then. John praised its charm and character.
Untroubled by the sounds of tree felling nearby, the commanding opening chord immediately brought the focus of the audience to his excellent interpretation of numbers 1 and 4 of the Impromptus Op 90 by Schubert. This continued with the classical elegance and contrasted moods of the three movements of Sonata in F major Hob XVI: 23 by Haydn.
Then, children, we had a quiz!
John quizzed the audience about their reactions to four biblical pieces from Evangelion, by Mario Castelnuovo-Tedesco. This inspired moment of audience participation exemplified John’s genuine and engaging rapport with his audience in his introductions as well as his playing.
A fluent and radiant account of the three contrasted movements of Sonatine by Ravel brought this recital to a close. The sustained applause confirmed its success and demanded another return.
The Queen’s Award-winning Toad Lane Concerts are every Wednesday at 12.30pm at the Grade-1 building of St Mary in the Baum, Toad Lane, Rochdale, OL16 1DZ. Entrance fee is £6. No refreshments available. Contact 01706 648872 for further information.
RECOMMENDED
Wednesday 23 October 2024
Toad Lane Concerts - Rochdale's Weekly Music at Lunchtime
This week we have Oldham Community Choir, Jonathan Gibson conductor (RNCM), J Edward Rigg piano.
The concert series has been held at St Mary’s since 2001 and was granted the Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service in 2020… during the pandemic!
Running every Wednesday, Music at Lunchtime is a weekly live classical music concert series that has been going since the 1960s. The sessions were initially run at the old Rochdale Art Gallery by the local authority, but since May 2001 have been run by volunteer-enthusiasts and artistic director, Dr Joe Dawson.
£6
Phone: Dr Joe Dawson 01706 648872
Doors open 12noon, concert starts 12.30pm - 1.30pm
St Mary in the Baum, Toad Lane/St Mary's Gate, Rochdale OL16 1DZ
Wednesday 23 October 2024
Free Drama Workshops
Two Shires Drama is kicking off free drama workshops.
Ever been told you should give acting a try? Or maybe you're just someone who loves fiction and drama? Whether you've always wanted to be on stage or you’re just curious, this is your chance!
No pressure, no experience needed—just come along, have fun, and see where it takes you. We can’t wait to see what you bring to the stage.
Let’s make this unforgettable!
Our workshops offer:
Theatre games.
Drama skills.
Acting exercises that aim to build confidence, self-esteem and friendships.
These session are suitable for ages 16+ and run weekly.
Free
Phone: Jules Howliston 07909 505461
6pm
Caring and Sharing Community Hub, 78 Yorkshire Street, Town centre, Rochdale OL16 1JU
Wednesday 23 October 2024
Rochdale Photographic Society
Tonight's session - L&CPU Folio North B.
We meet every Wednesday at Rochdale Unitarian Church, starting at 7.30pm prompt (doors open from 7.15pm). The door is kept locked so please ring the bell on arrival.
If you would like to see the club for yourself and meet our members, you are welcome to attend as our guest for up to 3 weeks before committing to membership. Annual subscription is £36 for single or £46 for joint membership.
A weekly room fee of £2.50 is also payable on arrival at the meeting. Refreshments are 50p.
Visit the link below for a full 2024 syllabus.
£2.50 for room fee
Phone: Secretary - Ed Whitaker
Doors open 7.15pm, 7.30pm start
Rochdale Unitarian Church, Clover Street, Rochdale OL12 6TP
Until Saturday 26 October 2024
Heywood AODS Presents Footloose
HeyKids of Heywood (part of Heywood AODS) has been nurturing the talents of young people aged 8 to 18 for over 35 years. Each year, these dedicated and hardworking children deliver an incredible musical performance, and this year is no exception!
We are excited to present the classic 80s movie, Footloose, The Musical a high-energy, toe-tapping show that promises to entertain.
When Ren and his mother move from Chicago to a small farming town, he is prepared for the inevitable adjustment period at his new high school. But he’s not prepared for the rigorous local edicts, including a ban on dancing instituted by the local preacher, who is determined to exercise control over the town’s youth. When the reverend’s rebellious daughter sets her sights on Ren, her roughneck boyfriend tries to sabotage Ren’s reputation, with many of the locals eager to believe the worst about the new kid. The heartfelt story that emerges pins a father longing for the son he lost against a young man aching for the father who walked out on him.
To the rockin’ rhythm of its Oscar and Tony-nominated Top 40 score, augmented with dynamic new songs, Footloose celebrates the wisdom of listening to young people while guiding them with a warm heart and open mind.
Please, please come and support these amazingly talented young performers and witness firsthand their incredible dedication and effort. You won’t want to miss it.
Wed 23 Oct7:30pm Doors open: 7:00pm
Thu 24 Oct7:30pm Doors open: 7:00pm
Fri 25 Oct7:30pm Doors open: 7:00pm
Sat 26 Oct2:15pm Doors open: 1:45pm
Sat 26 Oct7:30pm Doors open: 7:00pm
From £15
Middleton Arena, Lance Corporal Joel Halliwell VC Way, Middleton, Manchester M24 1AG
Thursday 24 October 2024
Bi-Lingual Storytime
Come and listen to stories read in English and other languages such as Urdu, Arabic, French and Slovakian.
Afterwards, join in with crafts related to the story.
Alternating Thursdays and Saturdays.
Free and suitable for children 5 and under and their grown-ups.
Phone: Tracey Tomlinson 07356 182030
12pm to 1.30pm
Rochdale Library, Number 1 Riverside, Smith Street, Town Centre, Rochdale OL16 1XU
Saturday 26 October 2024
Marvellous Markets
Join us at Rochdale Exchange Shopping Centre located in Central Square (near Iceland and Poundland store)
Visit our indoor market, bag yourself a unique treat, meet the marvellous makers, see their amazing creations, come and grab yourself a bargain.
9am - 5pm
Rochdale Exchange Shopping Centre, Yorkshire Street, Town Centre, Rochdale OL16 1BA
Saturday 26 October 2024
Halloween in Rochdale Town Centre
Ghoulish activities to get you in the Halloween spirit.
Be prepared to meet Jack Skellington at various times throughout the day.
Visit the Halloween pop up park featuring a free face painter and a host of family friendly ghoulish activities.
Complete the Halloween word search to be in with a chance of winning a £50 voucher from The Works
Contact: Rochdale BID
Rochdale Riverside, Riverside Walk, Town Centre, Rochdale OL16 1TR
celebrating creative arts and artists - an oasis of positivity supporting individual and community wellbeing.