The project is part of Wigmore Hall’s Music for Life programme which is an internationally renowned creative music programme for people living with dementia in the community and in care homes. Out of the Ordinary started in 2020 and was developed as a response to the Covid-19 lockdown with a desire to find meaningful and creative connection in times of isolation. Led by musician Caroline Welsh, Out of the Ordinary is a foray into the online world that continues to bring fascination and joy to those that take part.
What is Out of the Ordinary? It’s sometimes difficult to quite put your finger on it. On the tin it’s a group of musicians from Wigmore Hall, students from the Royal Academy of Music and people living with and alongside dementia meeting online for an hour and a half every two weeks to share ideas, photographs, music, and creativity together. But it is so much more than this. Creative and meandering conversations lead the group to unexpected places and beautiful shared improvisations, giving time to reflect or laugh or just be. Out of the Ordinary is a beginning – a place of trust that looks forward with wonder onto what might be possible, finding its own way with the extraordinary group of people who join us.
If you’d like to hear how this takes place, you can listen to the group creating a piece with their voices, instruments, and ideas. One of the participants shared a photograph – a whirl of golden fish dancing up to the surface at the call of Spring. And everyone was inspired to create a piece called Reflection – deep, deep down.
“I felt included from the very first minute … I felt like I could make important contributions … and that anything I contributed would be valued.”
“This has been the most helpful intervention I have had since my diagnosis. I think is because it was an opportunity to be with others who have similar diagnoses, but without these being the focus of the group. In the past I have sometimes found professional musicians intimidating, but this was certainly not the case here.”
“You feel you’re making a proper connection with people.”
“We are happy together. It’s exciting knowing this is going to be on again. It’s a big part of my life now and I’m so glad it is.”
“The music made me feel like I was outside looking down at a lake…I feel really smooth.”
“I love this, it’s a huge part of our lives, it’s mostly happy. Makes us laugh, smile… Feel worthwhile and wanted.”
“This space we’ve got together encourages us and deepens our listening to music and each other.”
“There’s a sense of belonging in this group.”
“What amazes me is, we don’t know what’s coming for the next 90 minutes but it manages to be something beautiful and that is thanks to everybody here.”
“I felt connected, engaged and supported. I felt that I was being seen as myself, not defined by my diagnosis.”
Out of the Ordinary – enlighten me Newsletter
Out of the Ordinary – unearthing the joy Newsletter
Out of the Ordinary – come a little closer Newsletter
Out of the Ordinary – the wonder of nature with… Newsletter
Out of the Ordinary sessions take place fortnightly throughout the year with individuals taking part from across the UK. Please contact contact@raredementia.og or outoftheordinary@wigmore-hall.org.uk for more information.