The celebratory one-off event – taking place in three elderly care wards across the hospital – marked an ongoing partnership that has seen regular music-making with the BSO’s musicians over the last year.

Sitting in a horseshoe formation, Principal Trombone Kevin Morgan and Sub-Principal Trombone Robb Tooley introduced the group’s music to staff and patients.

“This is a bit of an older one”, Robb says as the ensemble prepares to play Save the Last Dance by The Drifters.

“We’re going to do a jazzier number now, so you need to decide whether to clap or to click” says Kevin as they begin the next piece.

The jubilant sound of brass instruments fills the ward and staff and patients clap and click their fingers to join in.

The concert finishes with Pharrell Williams’ buoyant Happy, “because we’d like to leave you happy”, Kevin says.

Staff and patients can’t help but dance and there’s laughing and clapping. As the music ends one patient shouts “fantastic!” “There you go, that’s your answer”, smiles Activity Co-Ordinator, Cherie.

In the next ward some patients are having their lunch as the musicians start playing. The sound of music fills the room, and more patients arrive with staff. An occupational therapist appears with another patient and beams, “this is so cool”.

“He’s absolutely loving it; his face is lit up” a member of staff says pointing to one patient.

We learn that another patient who is particularly enjoying the music once held the position of Principal Cornet in the International Staff Band of the Salvation Army.

As the music ends, the Ward Clerk says, “that was awesome”.

Precious Whild, Senior Ward Sister, said,“Thank you so much! Seeing patients uplifted, even those who are in pain. Everyone was participating, you could see the clapping hands…the smiles. It’s giving them what they used to have before.”

Clarke Orchard, Ward Clerk, said, “Smiles were raised. Thank you to the BSO for that. The music itself; obviously fantastic. And the fact it’s live. All these small things make a big difference, and these people know now that people have come out of their way to entertain them and to boost them up […] it’s a good cure.”

Cherie Folkard, Activity Co-ordinator, said, “It brings their faces alive, you can see it. The proof is in the pudding. To see some people that have been here for quite a while, what it does for them; it’s fantastic.”

Click here to find out more about our music-making in creative health in hospitals and communities across the South West. To read more about our expansion in community music-making click here. 

 

The BSO’s programme of music-making in hospitals is generously supported by:

Annette D’Abreo & Edwin Bessant

The Duncreggan Trust

The 98 donors to the 2025 Big Give Christmas Challenge, with special thanks to The Reed Foundation, Janet Boyle, Terry & Annette O’Rourke and David & Julie Edyvean.