A resident joins a Summer Songs’ performance on the drums with local singer-songwriter, Paddy Nash, on guitar.
Derry City Council is ensuring its Summer Songs initiative ends on a high note with a special finale showcase event taking place at Foyle Disability Resource Centre at the end of the month.
With funding from the European Union’s Peace III programme in association with the Music City legacy, Summer Songs brought weekly live music performances to residential care settings across Derry and Strabane during the month of August.
Around 40 performances took place each week in nursing homes and day centres involving 71 musicians and 26 volunteers.
Many of the residents played an active role by taking up musical instruments and singing along, and they proved to be the real stars of the show!
Oonagh McGillion, Derry City Council’s Director of Legacy, said she was delighted at the response from those who availed of the Summer Songs initiative and praised everyone involved in making it such a resounding success.
Ms. McGillion said: “Summer Songs provides a unique opportunity for those who may otherwise not be able to get the chance to access live music due to their circumstances or level of mobility, and we have been overwhelmed at how well it has been received at all the venues which participated.
“We are privileged to engage with valued members of our community who may sometimes feel cut off from the events taking place across the city and beyond. This programme has allowed them to be a part of Music City 2014 and the legacy promise from 2013 to engage with all members of the community in the city.
“We are also delighted to have been able to extend the Summer Songs initiative to care homes in Strabane so that as many residents as possible get the chance to experience live music and be a part of it.”
Patrick McKeever, manager of Foyleville Day Centre which caters for 60 members on a weekly basis, described the project as “phenomenal”.
He added: “This Council-led initiative brought a lot of enjoyment to a lot of older people who, for logistical reasons, aren’t able to access the abundance of music on offer in the town and are susceptible to social isolation because of their age and frailties.
“The consistency and quality of the musical performances was absolutely excellent and so relevant to our members who thoroughly enjoyed themselves. It would be our hope that this project can be re-visited in the very near future.”
Residents from a number of care homes and day centres will be in attendance at the Summer Songs showcase, taking place on Monday, 29 September, bringing the curtain down on the memorable initiative.
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