music and song
led by Adrian Plant - Musician, Musicologist & Curator
Adrian’s considerable experience of working with older people and in care settings informed the project from the outset. In addition to a series of care home and day centre music and song sessions, and Songs from the Movies singalong sessions at Wem Town Hall, Adrian worked over an extended period with a group recruited from the Shrewsbury AGE UK choir. Initially, in collaboration with Jean Atkin (poet) the group composed a series of new songs, based on the groups reflections and memories shared. Adrian then followed up by working with the group to develop a pilot podcast (which became a vodcast), that could be used in care settings or at home to support sign-alongs, and to encourage participation in community choirs. The podcast included songs performed by the choir, providing a friendly “everyone is welcome” atmosphere, that encourages the listener to join in.
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“Getting involved with Creative Conversations' projects has added another hugely important and enjoyable dimension to D’s social (and creative) life. D describes his involvement in both these activities as having become a 'life-line' for him. The really major good and most significant changes that I've noticed in the group is a slow, but huge, increase in their confidence (and belief) that – even at this stage of life they can still sing and rediscover playing musical instruments – and be creative! Typical of the majority of my older singers, D had lapsed into a self- perception that 'oh, I maybe had a half-decent voice when I was younger - but of course that's all now gone with age' ” - Adrian
When the pandemic hit and the AGE UK choir could no longer meet, Creative Conversations stepped in to support the sessions moving online. The group trialled using different types of devices including tablets, laptops and Facebook Portal. The facilitated online weekly singing sessions continued throughout the pandemic up until they were able to again meet in person. Watch the 'Together Again' film above.
"Due to the limitations of the tech (for online live music making), so many of the group, through having to sing solo and acapella for each other, are increasingly beginning to realise just how beautiful their own unique voice can be, and it's really going to change the way we work when we eventually meet again as a group!” - Adrian
some photos from the project