Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra brings music and community together at Marjorie House
Residents and the local community gathered in the garden of Marjorie House for a special concert featuring a performance by musicians from Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra (BSO).
Marjorie House care home, on Crichel Mount Road, hosted the ‘Summer Quartet’ event in partnership with the BSO for residents, relatives and members of the local community.
Musicians who performed at the ‘Summer Quartet’ event included included violinists Julie-Anne Gillett-Smith and Vicky Berry, viola player Melissa Doody, and cellist Phil Collingham.
Barbara, one of the home’s first residents, helped to choose the music performed by the quartet alongside Bob, another resident who is a former season ticket holder for the BSO. Barbara and Bob had front-row seats at the event as they listened to musicians performing a range of contemporary and classical pieces, including Greensleeves, The Swan by Saint-Saëns and Here Comes the Sun by George Harrison.
Afterwards Barbara said: “It was absolutely wonderful. I just love music. It made me feel joyful. It just brings joy into your heart and it makes you feel happy to be with everyone around you. It was lovely to be at home and to have the musicians come to us.”
Simon Bird, CEO of Care South, welcomed residents and guests with an opening speech, with the event being brought to a close with a speech from Dougie Scarfe, CEO of the Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra (BSO).
Simon Bird, CEO of Care South, said: “Our Summer Quartet event was a fantastic evening led by the BSO’s wonderful musicians. It was a very special evening for Barbara and Bob and all their friends at Marjorie House, loved ones and the local community, for a truly special event celebrating the start of our new partnership with the Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra. So many residents in our care homes love listening to classical music and we can see the positive impact this has on their wellbeing. We know that listening to classical music provides so many emotional, cognitive, physiological, physical and social benefits. Seeing residents, relatives and the local community enjoying the performance together perfectly exemplifies our ethos of Food, Fun and Friendship.”
The event was held as part of Marjorie House’s partnership with the BSO, which sees musicians visit the residents at the care home each month to perform a range of music.
Dougie Scarfe, CEO of BSO, said: “Our partnership with Care South is wonderful because we want to bring the sheer magic and joy of live music to as many people as possible. Music has a unique ability to connect people, spark memories and create moments of happiness, and it was fantastic to witness that first-hand at the Summer Quartet event. We are really looking forward to seeing this partnership develop and bring many more musical experiences to Marjorie House residents in the months ahead.
