Music Living's 'Gentle Concerts' - another Beverley First
Thu 3rd May 2018
Music Living - Beverley’s, and possibly the world's FIRST free ‘Gentle Concerts’ will be held at Toll Gavel Church, Beverley on Friday September 14th and Saturday September 15th 2018
Two unique concerts are to be held for people with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) by Music Living, a new charity set up by Denis Delahay, which works with SEND adults to help them make music and enable them to gain access to live music performances.
It is still an unfortunate fact for people with special educational needs and disabilities that society tends to focus on their disabilities and not their abilities - what they cannot do, as opposed to what they can. Across the East Riding there are many groups and service centres for SEND adults, the elderly and those with dementia. However, their access to live music performances is limited to non- existent. To help address this, Music Living is staging two unique concerts aimed at adults with SEND, dementia, the isolated elderly, their families and the general public.
Concert 1 - ‘Joy and Passion’
This is a concert performed by professional musicians. The programme is lively and joyous, including popular songs from the shows, so can be enjoyed by anyone, but how the event is run takes into special consideration the needs of the audience.The performance will not patronise the audience, but the atmosphere will take them in to consideration – very much like an “autism friendly” cinema screening. We are aware of the needs of the audience and so the venue will specifically cater for them without fear of prejudice or misunderstanding. The event will be in four half-hour sessions, with short intervals so people can come to any or all
Concert 2 - ‘Hope and Magic’
This concert will see adults with SEND take to the stage, alongside an under 11s choir from Beverley. In addition, we will be joined by a SEND rock band from London. This concert will be open to all, with support to enable the families of those performing to attend.
Music Living has secured some funding from the Big Lottery Fund for which Denise and her colleagues are very grateful, but the charity is also seeking support from local businesses, community groups and other organisations. If you would be interested in helping the project, please do not hesitate to contact Denise to discuss this further – any help you could give with promotion, identifying the audience, raffle prizes, transport, refreshments, sponsorship, anything would be gratefully received! Every little will help and be warmly received.
Denise can be contacted at denise-delahay@hotmail.co.uk or on 07964059912 / 01482 679935
