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Special BBC Philharmonic concert to be held for Salford Institute for Dementia Anniversary

Wednesday 2 December 2015

A special concert is to be held at the University of Salford, in partnership with the BBC Philharmonic, on 9th December 2015 which will explore the experience of families living with dementia.   

The concert has been arranged to mark the second anniversary of the University of Salford’s Institute for Dementia, which was launched in 2013 with the aim of helping more people live well with dementia.  Over the past two years the Institute has launched a ground-breaking action  research study into early onset dementia, brought together academics, people living with dementia, organisations and practitioners with the focus of developing dementia-friendly buildings, gardens, urban spaces and made the finals of Dementia Friendly Awards 2014.  The work of the Institute is focused on valuing and supporting the humanity of people with dementia and that of the people who support them.

The anniversary concert, to be held on Wednesday 9th December at 6.30pm in the University’s Peel Building, will explore the relationship that exists between poetry and music and how it can impact on the lives of people living with dementia and the lives of their family members.

The highlight of the event will be a special performed reading of Di Sherlock’s moving cycle of poems ‘Come Into the Garden’.  Sherlock’s poems explore her own journey as a carer for her mother, who was living with vascular dementia, and for her father, who had been diagnosed with Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma. Throughout her time with them the poems became a lifeline, chronicling events as they happened.

The poems will be read by professional actors from the world of radio and television and accompanied by BBC Philharmonic cellist Elinor Gow, who will play music specially composed for the poetry by American composer, Lucas Garner.

The performance will be followed by a Q&A session chaired by the University of Salford's Chancellor, the acclaimed author and poet Professor Jackie Kay MBE.

Speaking ahead of the concert, Acting Director of the University of Salford’s Institute for Dementia, Natalie Yates-Bolton said; “We’re delighted to be hosting such a special event to celebrate the University of Salford’s Institute for Dementia’s 2nd Anniversary. 

“Di Sherlock’s poetry speaks to the experiences that many of the people who have dementia who we work closely with and their carers have on a daily basis.  This performance of powerful poetry, to be delivered by a terrific host of actors with musical accompaniment from the brilliant cellist Elinor Gow of the BBC Philharmonic, will be a real privilege for all in attendance.”

To attend one of the concerts please register below:

2.00pm, The Old Fire Station, University of Salford – register here

6.30pm, Peel Building, University of Salford – register here

Alternatively please contact Sarah Christie in the events team on s.christie@salford.ac.uk.