On Friday evening, Christ Church, Totland was full of song as the West Wight Dementia-Friendly Choir invited Newchurch Male Voice Choir to join them in a concert of popular songs.
The audience, who filled the Church, were immediately involved in singing the warm-up song, Drunken Sailor, with the Choirs, all under the brilliant direction of Pam Wedgwood.
On the song sheets
Then Newchurch sang four songs, Anthem (from Chess), My Lord What A Morning, Those Magnificent Men in their Flying Machines and Hallelujah.
Then the Dementia Choir enthralled with My Favourite Things, You Make Me Feel So Young and Give Me Sunshine. Newchurch returned and sang The Lord is my Shepherd, With Cat-like Tread Homeward Bound and an American Trilogy.
The Dementia Choir then sang Moon River and a lovely two part rendition of Any Dream Will Do. The two choirs then combined to sing What a Wonderful World and You’ll Never Walk Alone.
More than £700 raised
Finally everyone present aptly sang Let There Be Peace On Earth. After a rousing round of appreciation refreshments were enjoyed and a retiring collection, for Dementia Charities was taken.
Thanks to the generosity of Christ Church Wardens and of the audience the collection raised over £700.
Music and song are a true therapy to assist and empower those with Dementia
Bob Cooper, from the Newchurch Choir said,
“What a most enjoyable concert that was. To see the vibrancy of Pam Wedgwood and her helpers, and the obvious enjoyment of the Dementia Choir singers, was so encouraging in proving that music and song are a true therapy to assist and empower those with Dementia and their carers/supporters.
“It was our pleasure to be part of this, and to see the shared enjoyment on the faces of the audience, shows we must continue to try to make music available for all to enjoy.”
Image: Newchurch MVC Chairman, Rod Riddell, presenting Pam Wedgwood with a memento from the choir
News shared by Bob on behalf of Newchurch Male Voice Choir. Ed
