Orchestra to play monthly concerts at care home

Musicians from a professional orchestra will perform monthly concerts at a care home as part of a new partnership.

The 12-month programme will see players from Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra (BSO) visit Marjorie House, which provides residential and dementia care in Poole.

Organisers said the sessions aim to boost well-being by using music to stimulate memories and encourage social interaction.

Performances will include duets, classical pieces and music chosen to reflect residents' tastes.

The initiative, called Music at Marjorie House, began with a trial session featuring a cellist and accordion player.

Home manager Georgie Powell said residents were "thrilled" to welcome the musicians.

"They all have a real passion for music, so this is a very exciting opportunity for us," she said.

"They have already spoken to the musicians about the music that reminds them of their childhood, their families and friends or invokes a special memory.

"They are looking forward to hearing some of those pieces live up close and in person.

She said the sessions could help "lift mood, support memory and foster connection".

The partnership forms part of the orchestra's ongoing community work, which also includes projects in schools, hospitals and care settings.

Its Participate programme creates more than 50,000 opportunities each year for people to experience and take part in music.

BSO chief executive, Dougie Scarfe, said the project would help bring music to people "beyond the concert hall".

He said: "We have a hard-earned and longstanding reputation for our creative health work - of which dementia-friendly music-making is a big part.

"It give us the opportunity to take exceptional music into new settings to enrich the cultural lives of people of all ages."