Participate at Snape

Even though my mother in law has dementia, I was a little daunted at the prospect of an afternoon at a music workshop with a room full of dementia sufferers and their carers. I realised that one of my deepest fears, is that I might one day develop this cruel condition; I’d far prefer a sudden and fatal heart attack, at some point in my late 80s, before my body starts to seriously let me down.

But the team at Snape Maltings, Rob Gilden a professional singer and Caroline Specca a violinist, handled the group brilliantly and clearly had none of my inhibitions. It was not obvious who had, and who lacked marbles, because the session was delivered with real tact and sensitivity. Everybody took part - apart that is from me. (As is my habit, I sat a little away from the group, so that I could watch, listen, learn and write.)

That said, this was not kiddie level stuff. The group discussed the differences between 5/4 and 4/4 timing, and practiced singing in 4/4 and 6/8. This was impressive. Then a box of percussion instruments was opened and the contents distributed. An ‘A’ on the piano got them started, and away they went, professionally conducted and enthusiastically supporting each other in an act of collective music making.

It says a lot about the scope and range of Snape’s musical repertoire, that even in the middle of a busy Festival programme, they can make space and time to work with vulnerable members of the local community. For this they should be congratulated.

Finally, I’ll admit that my real reason for attending was because the session concluded with an opportunity to sit in the concert hall and see the BBC Philharmonic orchestra rehearsing for that evening’s concert. That was impressive too!