This was my first Music in Hospitals gig so I felt a bit nervous but as soon as I sang my first song I could tell the audience were on my side. By the third song I had them singing along and playing percussion with me. I observed one gentleman in tears so went up to him and sat beside him. He said he loved the song I just sang as it reminded him of someone he knew many years ago. There was also a lady who was 89 who was just lovely. I asked her if she would like me to sing something special for her. She was tearful and happy and left a real impression on me.
I just wanted to put into writing the comment the lady made to me at the care home in Dunfermline. Her husband has been a patient for a year and told me "For a year I have come in every day to visit him and I felt there was nothing left inside him. Today he has been singing. I feel a ton weight has been lifted from my shoulders."
I have a lovely memory of 2 nurses polka-ing up a corridor as I yodelled my way through The Lonely Goatherd!
The combination of wanderers, people shouting out, singing very loudly and tunelessly, jumping up and down, clapping out of time etc made the concert very difficult. Having said that, the concert went down well and they thoroughly enjoyed it. John was greeted on arrival by one of the patients, 'Oh hello Vicar!' Must be his distinguished appearance!
I played some jigs on the accordion and was quite worried as one lady tried to get out of her wheelchair to dance. Her daughter was there and was so happy to see her mother enjoying the music so much, even though she struggled to keep her in her wheelchair.
The residents here were about the frailest I've encountered. Quite advanced dementia in most cases. However, we had a fantastic concert which everyone loved. The daughter of one resident was there and she said she was 'astounded' at her mother who was up dancing and sang every song from beginning to end. She said her mum had been more responsive in one hour than she had for 3 years.
Returning to do these concerts after such a long break, I felt very moved and humble and had forgotten how privileged we are to be invited to entertain such lovely people. It added to my Christmas this year.
A lovely gentleman turned my rendition of 'Marie's Wedding' into a rousing chorus of 'Ye canny shove yer Granny off a bus'!! What fun - he won and the wedding was temporarily postponed.
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