LIVE concerts with world-class artists are set to bring joy to eight care homes in the Derry area next week.
A host of renowned musicians will take part in the Mobile Music Machine’s 'Covid Care Concerts' as it joins forces with Derry’s Walled City Music, which takes place from July 25 to 28.
Since June 2020, Mobile Music Machine has performed more than 600 live classical music concerts at hospital settings and care homes, safely in outdoor and garden settings, across 16 counties in Ireland.
The live concerts feature music from all genres and Ireland’s finest classical musicians have been delighted to experience the joy that they are bringing to communities in care settings.
Some of their intimate audiences have included residents living with Alzheimer’s and dementia who have not spoken in years, but have enjoyed joining in and singing along.
Founder of the project, leading Irish cellist Gerald Peregrine, said: "We are delighted to have played a part in bringing some happiness to these residents with our ‘Covid Care Concerts’, especially during the most difficult months of the pandemic.
"We are thrilled to see families return to the care homes and are delighted we can perform for them as well as their family members.
"By the end of 2021, we hope to deliver over 800 concerts, leading to the employment of 80 musicians, and have high hopes for the future with plans to nationalise this programme from 2022 onwards."
