Kaleidoscope Choir visit Cavendish Hospital

This week the Kaleidoscope Community Choir gave a special performance at the Cavendish Hospital in Buxton. The patients of the Spencer Ward, who suffer from dementia and other mental health problems, were delighted to welcome us into their lounge for a sing song. Led by musical director Carol Bowns, the choir sang some of their favourite songs including Love Me Tender, My Bonnie, and an interesting alternative arrangement of Amazing Grace. The patients and staff of the ward particularly enjoyed hearing the choir’s own special song – Distant Peak – which was written for the choir by one of their own singers Jacob Eckert. Distant Peak is performed with an accompanying slideshow of images of the Peak District, also taken by Jacob. The patients found it particularly moving to see such beautiful photographs of the familiar landscape around the Peak District which emphasis the descriptive power of the words of this special song.  

Lots of research shows that music, and particularly singing, can help people suffering from dementia – reducing anxiety and increasing cognitive ability  We have seen this first hand in our performances on the Spencer Ward. Patients are moved to tears, smiles and laughter by familiar songs. We have also seen patients who struggle with communication come to life during our performances and join in with our songs or give their own performance of a favourite song.

Members of the Kaleidoscope Community Choir would like to thank the staff and patients of the Spencer Ward for inviting us to perform for them – we hope to return very soon.

Claire Barlow Literary & Outreach Manager

Guest blog: Carol Bowns on Kaleidoscope Choir

Kaleidoscope Choir is looking forward to sharing the songs they have been working as a Buxton Festival Fringe event.  The main aim of the choir is to meet and have fun singing together rather than learn work to create a programme for a performance.  Some of us feel that creates unnecessary pressure, and yet…!  We’ve worked hard learning to sing in parts and create harmonies.  Quite an achievement that is worth letting others hear.  So we hope we have achieved a happy compromise with our showcases which we run like an open rehearsal.  It’s a chance to let an audience hear how we learn and remember our songs to bring them to performance level.  We also make sure there are opportunities for the audience to join in and find out how much fun it is singing together.  This was particularly moving when we visited patients and their relatives at Cavendish Hospital.

We rehearse Tuesday lunchtimes in the Dress Circle Bar at Buxton Opera House which is a lovely, intimate space – almost too much so, as with growing numbers, we’re beginning to feel a bit cramped!  But it’s a treat to hear comments from people who have heard us when they have visited the box office or passed by on the concourse.  With administrative and financial support from Buxton Festival, this is a valuable outreach collaboration between the two organisations.

Our Fringe event is on Tuesday 12 July, 1pm at United Reformed Church (Fringe venue 55).

Carol Bowns Kaleidoscope Choir Leader

As Seen On TV

This week the Kaleidoscope Choir have been filming with the BBC for a forthcoming episode of Escape to the Country. Regulars to daytime TV will know that Escape to the Country follows city dwelling house-hunters on their quest to find a rural idle. This episode guides a music loving couple around the highlights of the Peak Districts’ property market, including a visit to Buxton Opera House to sample entertainments that their new life may offer. Kaleidoscope Choir will be seen welcoming the house-hunters to a rehearsal on the Buxton Opera House stage. Our 30-second moment of fame was the result of an hour or so of takes and re-takes, during which we repeatedly belted out an Hallelujah round that will now stay firmed embedded in our heads for weeks to come. Although we’re not heading for Hollywood just yet, the choir did all really enjoy the experience and look forward to seeing ourselves on the small screen in about six weeks time. Stay tuned!

Claire Barlow Outreach Manager

Kaleidoscope Choir hits the right notes at Cavendish Hospital

Last week our Kaleidoscope Choir visited the patients on the Spencer Ward at Cavendish Hospital in Buxton. We invited the patients and their families to join us for an open rehearsal of fun songs, music games and performances of our latest repertoire.

A highlight of the afternoon was our rendition of Distant Peak a new song written specifically for the choir by one of our members, Jacob. It was the song’s first public performance and we were all very pleased (and relieved) that we did it justice.

“Kaleidoscope Choir showed that they are a true community choir yesterday when they shared their rehearsal with patients with their families and carers at Cavendish Hospital. It was a rewarding experience for the choir to get such an enthusiastic response from their audience which resulted in simultaneous applause in return!” Choir leader, Carol Bowns

The final song of the afternoon was a version of Love Me Tender which brought tears to the eyes of many of the audience and performers. The choir felt very proud to be invited to perform for this special audience and we really enjoyed meeting the patients, many of whom are suffering with dementia and other mental health issues.

“It was lovely to sing to and with the residents at the Cavendish Hospital and I found singing Love Me Tender quite emotional in that context! I enjoy the range of music we cover at choir and the informality and fun of it all.” Choir member

“It gave me great pleasure to be part of our choir yesterday and it was good to give so much enjoyment to the patients and their families. I have been a member of the Kaleidoscope choir since the beginning. The enthusiasm shown by Carole and the camaraderie throughout the choir makes Tuesday rehearsals a day to look forward to!” Choir member

“I really enjoy singing in the Kaleidoscope Choir – I am always in a good mood after our noise making sessions – something to do with endorphins I’m told.  I have no delusion that I am a great singer, I just enjoy singing with a lovely group of local folks.” Choir member

Kaleidoscope Choir is run by Buxton Festival in partnership with Buxton Opera House. We rehearse every Tuesday lunchtime in the Dress Circle Bar at Buxton Opera House. The choir is made up of about 35 local amateur singers – new members are always welcome. We perform regularly at Buxton events including the Spring Fair, Christmas Lights Switch On and Festival Fringe.

Claire Barlow Outreach Manager