Young performers from Musselburgh Grammar School have been entertaining elderly occupants of the town’s Harbour House with exclusive concerts at the residential home.
We are developing stronger intergenerational links with Harbour House and the Musselburgh Meeting Centre, with music being the bond as it is so uplifting and positive for all our wellbeing. We are looking forward to doing much more of this in the future.
Earlier this year, the council’s Instrumental Music Service became aware that Harbour House, run by Morar Living, had a wonderful piano on site and were keen to for their residents to enjoy more musical performances. Musselburgh Grammar’s wood wind and piano teacher Juliet Aspley went to meet with staff at the care home and initially arranged for some of her piano pupils to visit and play.
Following the success of this first event, five more students who were preparing to sit their performance grade exams visited in late May and entertained residents with a selection of pieces on the trombone, saxophone, flute and clarinet.
Bonding through music
Musselburgh Grammar School Head Teacher Jodi Hannan said: "It’s really important to me that our young people have as many opportunities as possible to share their talent and love of music with our community and particularly those who may not be able to travel to performances as much as they would like to, so Juliet and our students took the music to them!
“We are developing stronger intergenerational links with Harbour House and the Musselburgh Meeting Centre, with music being the bond as it is so uplifting and positive for all our wellbeing. We are looking forward to doing much more of this in the future."
East Lothian Council Woodwind and Piano Instructor Ms Aspley added: “These two visits have provided a wonderful opportunity for our young musicians to practise performing in front of an audience in an informal community setting. We were very well received by the staff and residents, some of whom sung along with our performances! We can't wait to return to Harbour House in September."
The school is currently arranging for some of its senior musicians to return in September and hopes to continue to arrange similar events in the future.
"Heart-warming experience"
Jennifer Marr, East Lothian Council’s Instrumental Music Service Team Manager commended the young performers on the impact of their visits. "Watching our young musicians perform to the residents and staff at Harbour House was a really heart-warming experience. I feel it's important to continue taking our learners out into the community to share the musical talent we have in East Lothian for everyone to enjoy.
“Music creates memorable moments, strengthens emotional bonds, and connects people from different backgrounds and generations. I believe it is important to continue building relationships with partners such as Harbour House Morar Living to help our learners grow into empathetic and well-rounded adults."