Warwickshire Care Home Treated To Performance By Local Choir As Part Of Charity Bike Ride
Residents at a luxury Warwickshire care home were treated to a unique performance from a local music charity which is stopping at care homes along a charity bike ride route.
Musicians from Armonico Consort, sang and played for residents at Studley Rose, a state-of-the-art residential care home on Pool Road, Studley — with TV presenter, wine expert and singer Oz Clarke also in attendance.
The group visited the care home as part of its 200-mile fundraising bike challenge, with the choir hoping to raise £20,000 to support valuable singing projects for people living with dementia.
The musicians entertained residents with Armonico’s trademark mix of beautiful baroque music and well-known numbers. Listeners, some of whom are living with dementia, were encouraged to sing along, clap and play percussion instruments.
Maria Willis, Registered Manager at Studley Rose, said: “Our residents had such a fun morning with the choir and we’re honoured to have been one of the care homes chosen along their route. We are glad the weather stayed dry for their visit and we hope that continues for the rest of their ride. Everyone at Studley Rose’s care community wishes them all the best.”
Also commenting on the day, Oz Clarke added: “The transformational effect of music is incredible, especially on people living with dementia. When we arrive, the place is silent and when we leave, we’re leaving a party. Music seems to stay in people’s minds when much else has been lost. That’s the reason we’re cycling 200 miles for a fifth successive year.”
The musicians are giving mini-performances at six care homes along the 200 mile route from Armonico’s base in Warwick, via the ‘Three Choirs’ of Worcester, Hereford and Gloucester, to Wells Cathedral in Somerset.
They aim to reach their target of £20,000 before the end of September, enabling them to set up more Memory Singers choirs for people living with dementia and their carers.
Earlier in the month, Studley Rose also held a dog show and raised £185 for Armonico Consort’s appeal. The show was attended by a variety of breeds including bulldogs, dachshunds, brittanys, samoyeds, retrievers, and sheepdogs. The canines competed in four categories: the fluffiest tail, waggiest tail, happiest dog and the most obedient dog.
Maria added: “We really value the relationship with Armonico Consort, so the activities team got their heads together and decided to host a dog show. This was a great success and ultimately, allowed us to contribute towards such an important cause.”
