RESIDENTS at MHA Glen Rosa care home in Ilkley have been treated to virtual performances of their favourite songs by members of the Chineke! Junior Orchestra, as part of an initiative that aims to engage and connect generations through the sharing of cultural heritage, musical stories and creativity.

Staff at the care home asked five residents to put forward favourite or meaningful songs for the orchestra to perform.

Resident Janet Davies, 87, requested ‘I Could Have Danced All Night’ as she ‘loves the sense of the song.’

Another resident, Joan Varah, aged 92, chose ‘Congratulations’ because she likes the lyrics.

These song choices were posted via a private Facebook group, along with a picture of the resident, and then shared with the Chineke! Junior Orchestra.

A performance of Janet Davies’s song request was recorded by violist Danya, age 14, over video and shared with the care home.

Janet said: “I thought the recital was wonderful and I even joined in with the singing. I love music – it has been a huge part of my life. When I was working as a teacher of English and French, I used to teach children to play various wind instruments in my spare time.

“I had so many children wanting to learn. There was very little time set aside for this in school time and the children absolutely loved it. Some of the parents asked why I did this in my spare time – it was because I took great delight in seeing them progress and the joy on their faces.

“Music is still a big part of my life here at Glen Rosa as we have a music therapist who takes us for weekly sessions and frequently have musicians playing for us on the lawn.”

Dawn Barrie, acting Home Manager at MHA Glen Rosa, said: “It’s been lovely to make some of our resident’s musical wishes turn into reality.

“Music means so much to everyone at the home. And particularly with September being World Alzheimer’s Month, we wanted to recognise the incredible benefits that music has on the life and wellbeing of all of our residents.”

A recording of the video can be viewed on MHA Glen Rosa’s Facebook page.

The virtual orchestra performances were made possible thanks to the ‘Musical Conversations’ initiative led by Intergenerational Music Making (IMM), one of the UK’s pioneers of intergenerational music projects.

National charity MHA are working in collaboration with IMM and the Chineke! Junior Orchestra to deliver the initiative to those living in its care homes and promote intergenerational connections while the two age groups are unable to be together in person during the pandemic.

Charlotte Miller, Director of Intergenerational Music Making said: “It has been an honour working with the extremely talented Chineke! Junior musicians and MHA in this truly innovative and exciting digital project.

“Through the sharing of stories and musical exchanges, we have been able to establish new intergenerational connections and reach those in isolation and living with Dementia which has been a lifeline to so many during this challenging time.”