Live Music Now: Wellbeing July

Over the month of July 2020, Live Music Now Scotland will be focussing on the power of music for improving wellbeing, particularly for older people in care and those living in social isolation. 

As part of the ‘Together at Home’ online music series which Live Music Now Scotland launched at the start of the coronavirus pandemic, with additional support from the Scottish Government Wellbeing Fund, the national outreach charity is commissioning 16 pre-recorded video concerts from its specially auditioned and trained pool of outstanding emerging artists. 

Live Music Now Scotland reveals the concert programme for its ‘Wellbeing Month’ in July 

Over the month of July 2020, Live Music Now Scotland will be focussing on the power of music for improving wellbeing, particularly for older people in care and those living in social isolation.  

As part of the ‘Together at Home’ online music series which Live Music Now Scotland launched at the start of the coronavirus pandemic, with additional support from the Scottish Government Wellbeing Fund, the national outreach charity is commissioning 16 pre-recorded video concerts from its specially auditioned and trained pool of outstanding emerging artists.  

Beginning on Thursday 2nd July, four videos will be released each week during July funded by the Scottish Government Wellbeing Fund, plus two more funded by the Royal Celtic Society.  

The full schedule is below and will be available as a playlist on LMN Scotland’s YouTube channel. 

For audiences, including those living with dementia, it is widely evidenced that participating in music activities can be beneficial for mental and physical wellbeing as it lifts moods and decreases anxiety levels. Live Music Now Scotland’s ‘Wellbeing Month’ also offers fairly paid performing opportunities to artists when their diaries continue to remain empty of live engagements. The artists involved will record classical and Scottish traditional concerts under lockdown from their own homes. Their exceptional musicianship and communications skills will be made available online to care homes and day centres across Scotland’s 32 local authorities and beyond, via our national and international networks.  

Live Music Now Scotland’s Wellbeing Month Schedule: 

Fri 10 Jul: New Antonine Brass, classical brass quintet, 11am 

Sun 12 Jul: Josie Duncan & Hamish Macleod, traditional Scottish song & guitar duo, 7pm (funded by the Royal Celtic Society) 

Tue 14 Jul: Siannie Moodie, clarsach player, 11am 

Thu 16 Jul: Sirocco Winds, classical wind trio, 11am 

Fri 17 Jul: Eddie Seaman, piper, 11am 

Sun 19 Jul: New Antonine Brass, classical brass quintet, 7pm 

Tue 21 Jul: Abigail Young & Nick Lauener, classical violin & piano duo, 11am 

Thu 23 Jul: Leila Marshall, classical flautist, 11am 

Fri 24 Jul: Aves o’May, traditional Scottish fiddle & clarsach duo, 11am 

Sun 26 Jul: Eddy Betancourt & Valerie Barr, violin & accordion duo, 7pm 

Tue 28 Jul: Prismatic Winds, classical wind quintet, 11am 

Thu 30 Jul: Gráinne Brady, traditional Scottish fiddler, 11am  

Fri 31 Jul: Sirocco Winds, classical wind trio, 11am 

Some feedback on LMN Scotland’s Together at Home series, launched on 30th March: 

“One gentleman called me to thank me for the link and said how much it had meant to him to be able to access them. He is finding being on his own incredibly difficult but felt happier and lighter in mood after viewing them. He said that when he feels lonely at home or anxious about anything he can just click on the link. Our other client also lives alone and she said she makes a cup of tea, clicks on your link and can easily forget why she can’t leave her home and can’t see her family.”    Day Care Manager, Eric Liddell Centre, Edinburgh. 

“Just to let you know five of the residents sat in our dining room and loved watching two of the videos on the YouTube link. The residents loved singing along, especially to 'Will ye go lassie go' and 'Auld Lang Syne'.  Thank you so much for putting on the shows”  Care Home Manager, Westerlands Care Home, Stirling. 

"Cheered us all up on a wet afternoon, got our feet tapping and brought a smile to our residents and staff." Activities coordinator, Cradlehall Care Home, Inverness. 

A comment from Carol Main MBE, Director, Live Music Now Scotland: 

“During these still uncertain times, Live Music Now Scotland musicians continue to do what they do best – connecting with people of all ages and circumstances through sharing the joy and pleasure of music. While it is not possible to visit care homes and day centres in person at the moment, the impact of our work is now reaching residents, service-users and staff online. The musicians’ engaging personalities and presentational style, sometimes with audience participation, ensure that the power of music as integral to wellbeing remains part of our everyday lives.”