Ponteland care home choir gives its first public performance at The Sage

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May 01, 2014

Residents at Care UK’s Ponteland Manor have been rediscovering the joy of music after a local student helped them to form a choir - and now they will be entertaining the audience at The Sage in Gateshead on Thursday May 15.

Ponteland degree student Cathryn Anderson, who is studying Community Music at the Sage in Gateshead, is midway through a ten-week programme with residents at the home in Thornhill Road.

Up to 20 residents, one aged 103, and four of their families join in singing a wide variety of songs at the Thursday afternoon sessions with Cathryn. “It’s fabulous,” she enthused. “Everyone joins in and they enjoy such a range of music. North East traditional songs are very popular, as are classical pieces and popular songs from the 1960s. It is a very uplifting experience and it is a joy to see the smiles on everyone’s faces.

“Many of the residents have great voices. The other day two people spontaneously burst into ‘Shenandoah’. They sang beautifully. I have to say I was very envious.”

The sessions have not only been fun but they have also increased the wellbeing of residents.  Home manager David Bell said: “Music can be a powerful means of communicating for people whose condition makes communicating thoughts and emotions difficult.

“Relatives have joined in with the singing and it is moving to see how the music can join them together when memory loss and frailty can often challenge every day communications and memories.”

Now 17 of the choir, the eldest being 93 years old, will take to the stage for a half-hour performance which will include ‘The Skye Boat Song’ and hits from the 1950s. David and the home’s activities coordinator Lynne Niven have organised minibuses to deliver the stars to The Sage. Lynne said: “They are all very excited about the performance. They all love meeting new people and having new experiences. I am sure that they will rise to the occasion and their performance will be a treat for the audience.”

Following her final year at the Sage, Cathryn will be studying for a teaching qualification. The team at Ponteland Manor hope that she will continue to help the residents have fun and make music.