Performing for Hitchin

Everyone Matters, in collaboration with Benslow Music, has established a network of nursing homes in and around Hitchin that love us to visit them with live music-making. Care home residents who are too infirm to get out to a theatre or concert hall are offered an interlude of musical entertainment and a chance to chat over refreshments It's a little moment of fun that can make a big difference.

Clarinettist Margaret Archibald has been leading concerts of this kind since she was invited to set up this aspect of the London Mozart Players’ work in 1989, cellist Julia Desbruslais was one of the first members of the orchestra to embrace this work. The two have collaborated ever since and both have been recognised nationally for their advocacy of music in the wider community.

This course is open to all instrumentalists and solo singers. Participants are welcome to bring multiple instruments should they wish. The repertoire will be chosen to suit the line-up, and course members share with the tutors the rewarding experience of devising a programme that offers audiences the highest standard of performance that we can achieve in an intensive rehearsal process. 

Intensive rehearsal of a programme chosen in discussion with course participants; informal discussion of the benefits to performers and audience of concerts in care homes and day centres etc; platform experience over several concerts in a range of settings. By the end of this course you will be able to support fellow musicians in sometimes awkward situations; approach performance with a very open mind. 

Margaret Archibald will contact course members in advance to start the conversation as to what repertoire will be suitable for each to play or sing. The course is entirely practical, with the emphasis on gaining skills in efficient rehearsal and an outgoing performance style through taking part.  

The tutors will provide much of the music but welcome input from course members, suggestions as to suitable pieces and offers of sets of parts. Bring changes of smart casual clothes for the performances and take care to choose cool ones to cope with the high temperatures usually found in generously-heated nursing homes.