FRIDAY, 31 MAY, 2019

EMBARGOED UNTIL PHOTO OPPORTUNITY: 11.45AM, MONDAY, 3 JUNE, 2019, WIGHTON HERITAGE CENTRE, CENTRAL LIBRARY, WELLGATE CENTRE, DUNDEE

Inspired by Spring with the Royal Scottish National Orchestra

Participants from Headway Dundee and Angus group have been inspired by Spring in the finale of a programme with the Royal Scottish National Orchestra (RSNO).

The event at the Wighton Heritage Centre was organised by ST/ART. The creative engagement project is for people across Tayside who have had a stroke or acquired brain injury. It’s supported by NHS Tayside and the RSNO’s learning and engagement programme in Dundee, which is supported by Northwood Charitable Trust.

Over the last eight weeks, participants from the Headway group worked with two musicians, Katy Fennema and Lee Holland from RSNO. They had additional support from visual artist Naomi McIntosh, orchestra viola player Maria Trittinger and principal trombonist Davur Magnussen.

Participants were encouraged to work with a variety of instruments including rhythmic and musical percussion, piano and their voice. They explored composition through written notation and verse and found their own sources of inspiration to work from. This approach led to a rich combination of visual, written and composed work which became the basis of three movements of music that they shared today.

Head of learning and engagement at RSNO Samantha Campbell said, “The musicians have taken the group through a number of planned musical exercises and techniques that gradually evolved from quiet musical meditation to bold vocal compositions. 

“It has been particularly satisfying to see the participants’ confidence increase and realise the pleasure there is in making music. What is exciting for us is exploring how to build work with a large group of participants which creates social and interactive activity.”

THAT project co-ordinator Chris Kelly said, “This is our third programme with Headway and RSNO and we have seen a change in direction for the group. They were asked to make more formal compositions and have risen to the challenge and directed of how the music is developed.

“Partnering with Scotland’s national orchestra over the past three years has given our participants a new perspective on music and the thrill of playing together. The group had the opportunity to see the orchestra perform at the Caird Hall which enriched the experience of the programme.”

The RSNO programme is one of a range of art programmes for people with long term conditions currently being delivered by Tayside Healthcare Arts Trust, which promotes creative engagement with the arts to enhance participant’s health and well being.

For further information please contact Chris Kelly on 01382 835507 or email ckelly3@nhs.net

Photo courtesy of Kriss Miller, The Courier

Contact:

Lyndsey Daun

NHS Tayside Communications

(01382) 424138