“Fifteen months ago, Pam Winter’s husband Richard, now 75, was diagnosed with dementia,” writes Harry White in Monday’s (6/22) Guardian (London). “The couple, who live in Bournemouth, were enjoying an active retirement … but Richard’s diagnosis and the development of his illness were the catalyst for a dramatic change…. ‘You don’t realize how lonely things can get, and how isolated you become,’ Pam says.” The article reports on “the BUDI Orchestra, a collaborative partnership between a team of researchers at Bournemouth University Dementia Institute (BUDI) and Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra…. Participants were encouraged to learn new instruments, engage in body percussion and sing. Those who already played an instrument were invited to bring it to the sessions and play with the group.… Pam [says]: ‘To actually be playing with musicians who we used to see on stage was absolutely overwhelming.’ … BSO horn player Ed Lockwood says … ‘One chap who came to the group was a former bass player…. At first he barely participated…. By the end he was providing the bassline to the music by ear. These kinds of things were lovely to watch and were incredibly poignant.’ ” More information about the program can be found at www.bsolive.com/budi-orchestra/.
Posted June 24, 2015
