Nearly 2,500 older people are to enjoy and be uplifted by live music performances from Live Music Now (LMN) to help make Older People's Day on 1 October extra-special for them.
LMN is fielding 63 of the best-available young musicians to take part in more than 50 performances throughout the UK, in an initiative that helps to bring younger and older generations together. Performances will take place at care homes, day centres, hospitals and hospices throughout the week of 28 September 2009.
Live Music Now trains and pays musicians selected from among Britain's top young musical talent to perform for people in a variety of unusual settings. Over 350 professional musicians take their music – be it classical, jazz, opera, pop or world music – out of concert halls such as London's Royal Opera House and Cardiff's St. David's Hall, and into places like small community halls, special schools, young offenders' institutions and residential homes for older people.
Sarah Derbyshire, Executive Director, Live Music Now said:
"These young musicians are selected for their special combination of communicative skills alongside musical talent. Performing for people who would otherwise be unable to access live music, they are often deeply moved to see how their music connects with people experiencing difficult circumstances. An elderly person, listening to a performance in a care home, will respond directly to their music, become uplifted and full of life. Musicians learn a lot from older people, listening to their experiences and hearing about their lives.
"Older People's Day gives us a chance to celebrate our work with a major focus on musicians nation-wide reaching out to a different generation."
LMN is backing the Government's Older People's Day – 'Full of Life'- initiative on 1 October 2009 as it too wishes to raise the profile of the issues surrounding older people and our ageing society, and to break down stereotypes by bringing different generations together to promote a more positive view.
Notes to Editors
Older People's Day
The Government's Older People's Day initiative on 1 October 2009 is 'Full of Life' – which aims to raise the profile of the issues surrounding older people and our ageing society, and to break down stereotypes by bringing different generations together to promote a more positive view.
