2012 Season

Saturday 17 March
Tuesday 27 March
Friday 6 April
Saturday 21 April
Saturday 28 April
Monday 7 May
Saturday 12 May
Wednesday 30 May

***Elgar Festival***
Thursday 31 May
Friday 1 June
Saturday 2nd June

Download brochure...

Would you like to find entertainment suitable for Dementia Sufferers? We all need human interaction to enrich our lives. People with dementia, however, have needs which are not currently met by mainstream entertainment. Due to the nature of the illness, it is often difficult and frustrating for sufferers to watch normal television. The English Symphony Orchestra has been performing Concerts in Care Homes and Hospices as part of their work in the community since 2007, during which time it has become increasingly evident that the interaction between the musicians and the residents can generate tremendous enthusiasm and happiness as well as providing 'company'. It has also become clear that the musicians and music can touch the souls of vulnerable people in a very special way.

Download full details of the appeal (including how to donate) and the Croome Court live concert recording here.

Commenting after the concerts, Stephen Warner (double bass) remarked "We give lots of concerts yet I think our performances in care homes are the only situations where we genuinely make a difference to somebody's life." Graeme Adams (oboe) said "We had a 90 year old gentleman singing along to Cath Handley's "Danny Boy" and saying it reminded him of war time colleagues. I nearly lost it!"

We therefore decided that, if we were to pre-record these concerts, we could offer DVDs to each home we visit, thereby extending indefinitely the experience and memory of the concert. Having discussed the project with dementia support professionals, we have received overwhelming confirmation that access to such a resource would be invaluable.

We have now decided to put on a Charity Fundraising Concert on Tuesday 27th March 2012 at Croome Court, Worcestershire, during which we shall record performances by all of our existing ESO Ensembles. This will be made into a DVD which will be distributed to care homes as a memento of our concerts. It will also be made available through our website www.eso.co.uk for the benefit of individuals who are suffering from dementia and cognitive difficulties.

We are vey excited about this project as it is a cause extremely close to our hearts. The total cost of recording and producing the DVDs will be in the region of £5000, so we are writing to ask if you would like to make a donation to help us fund, not only this project, but also the cost of putting on more concerts in care homes.

Please download the above leaflet, setting out what we shall be doing and how you can help.

We very much hope that you can.

Yours sincerely
Mary Stevens
Publicity Consultant & Concerts in Care Homes Co-ordinator

Croome Court