Live concerts to bring joy to care Derry homes

A host of renowned musicians have been bringing joy to the residents of hospital settings and care homes as part of Mobile Music Machine’s ‘Covid Care Concerts’ since June 2020 and from 25th – 28th July Derry’s Walled City Music will be partnering with the Irish ensemble to welcome them to eight care homes in the Derry area.

To date Mobile Music Machine have performed over 600 live classical music concerts, safely in outdoor and garden settings, across 16 counties in Ireland.

And they will enjoy their first visit to Derry with thanks to the Bank of Ireland Begin Together Arts Fund in partnership with Business to Arts.

The live concerts feature music from all genres and Ireland’s finest classical musicians have been delighted to experience the joy that they are bringing to communities in care settings – some of their intimate audiences have included residents living with Alzheimer’s and dementia who haven’t spoken in years, but have enjoyed joining in and singing along.

The ‘Covid Care Concerts’ initiative is the most comprehensive live arts programme currently active in Ireland and as a project in response to the pandemic, it is unique in its size and reach within a global context.

The programme is symbolic of the Irish spirit of giving and a leading example of a positive social response to the pandemic.

Speaking about the initiative and its positive impact within these communities, the founder and creative talent behind the project, leading Irish cellist Gerald Peregrine, said:

“We are delighted to have played a part in bringing some happiness to these residents with our ‘Covid Care Concerts’, especially during the most difficult months of the pandemic.

“We are thrilled to see families return to the care homes and are delighted we can perform for them as well as their family members.

“By the end of 2021, we hope to deliver over 800 concerts, leading to the employment of 80 musicians, and have high hopes for the future with plans to nationalise this programme from 2022 onwards”.

World-class talent performing at the highest levels across Ireland and abroad have been involved in the project since its inception, including artists such as Mary Coughlan, Celine Byrne, Iarla Ó Lionáird, Claudia Boyle, Sandra Oman, John Spillane, Sibéal, Gerald Peregrine, Luka Bloom and Gavan Ring amongst others.

Mobile Music Machine will be visiting Ardlough Care Home, Brooklands Healthcare, Culmore Manor, Daleview House, Greenhaw Lodge, Foyle Fold, Owen Mor Care Centre and William Street Care Home between Sunday 25 and Wednesday 28 July.

They are being supported by the Bank of Ireland Begin Together Arts Fund in partnership with Business to Arts.

For more information visit: www.walledcitymusic.com

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