Tag: Dementia Inclusive Singing Network

I Am The Song: Boo Hewerdine writes a new song for Luminate’s Dementia Inclusive Singing Network

Luminate, Scotland’s creative ageing organisation, has just released a new song written by singer/songwriter Boo Hewerdine, for their network of dementia inclusive singing groups and choirs across Scotland to sing.  

I Am The Song was recorded last month at Castlesound Studios in East Lothian and includes vocals by award-winning singer Hannah Rarity, Boo Hewerdine and members of Musselburgh-based dementia inclusive singing group Let’s Sing. 

The music is performed by Iain Sandilands on drums/percussion and Boo Hewerdine on guitar. There is also music for piano accompaniment available for use which was provided by jazz pianist and composer Dave Milligan.  

Let’s Sing led by song leader, singer and composer Penny Stone, meets weekly and supports people living with dementia in the local community by learning and singing a cappella harmony songs together.

Working with Penny and Stephen Deazley, who is Luminate’s Community Music Consultant, the choir recorded the final version of I Am The Song in just two hours.  

Let’s Sing at Castlesound Studios with Boo Hewerdine, Hannah Rarity, Iain Sandilands, Penny Stone, and Stephen Deazley recording I Am The Song. Photo credit Louise Mather. 

I Am The Song builds on the success of Travel These Ways – an earlier collection of songs created by Luminate during the pandemic for people living with dementia. The collection included two songs by award-winning musician Karine Polwart and still continues to be used widely by Scotland’s Dementia Inclusive Singing Network today.  

The Dementia Inclusive Singing Network includes singing groups and choirs based all over Scotland, as well as other community groups and care providers who recognise the benefits of singing, and the positive difference it can make to health and wellbeing. 

The final recorded versions of I Am The Song, including an accompaniment for groups to sing along with, downloadable lyrics and sheet music, is free to use and available on the Dementia Inclusive Singing Network’s website (https://singing.luminatescotland.org/) on a Creative Commons licence. 

Singer/songwriter Boo Hewerdine said: “It was a profound privilege to write this song. I shall never forget our recording day. So joyful.” 

Anne Gallacher, Director of Luminate said: “There’s a growing wealth of evidence of the benefits of singing, and in particular of singing in a group. 

“I am delighted that Boo agreed to write a song for the Dementia Inclusive Singing Network, and I am sure that groups in the Network will love singing it.  We hope to commission more songs over the coming years, and to build up a bank of pieces for our members to sing.”

Song Leader Penny Stone said: “The writing and sharing of this song has meant so much to our community of singers.

“Every time we sing it, at least one of us wells up with the emotion of it all – and not in a bad way! The song has connected with different singers in different ways and feels really special.

“And the process of recording the song with Boo, Hannah and Iain was really special. Many of our singers had never been in a recording studio before, so it felt like a new and unexpected adventure, and it sparked beautiful memories for those of our singers who have made music throughout their lives.”

I Am The Song is available for groups to download from:

https://singing.luminatescotland.org/songs-for-singing-groups-and-choirs/i-am-the-song/

About Boo Hewerdine:

For the last 30 years Boo Hewerdine has been considered as one of the UK’s finest singer/songwriters. From front man of The Bible (Graceland – Honey Be Good) to The Patience of Angels, which was a massive hit for Eddie Reader, he has written for many of today’s stars including: KD Lang, Chris Difford, Kris Drever, etc.

His last album Before was recorded with supreme Danish multi- instrumentalist Gustaf Ljunggren and garnered multiple five-star reviews.

Since then, he has released a lockdown EP, Singularities and a new album on Reveal Records.

New map makes it easy to find dementia inclusive singing groups 

Luminate, Scotland’s creative ageing organisation, has created an interactive map to show dementia inclusive singing groups around Scotland. 

Having run Scotland’s Dementia Inclusive Singing Network for the past four years, it has seen the network grow from a handful of members to more than 70, including more than 20 singing groups. The Network now includes groups from Shetland to the Borders, and is always ready to welcome more. 

Maisie Leddy, the Network co-ordinator said: “We’re really pleased to be launching our interactive Network Map, which displays the excellent singing activity offered across the country for people affected by dementia. Our Network is free and easy to join, and all members are invited to add their singing group to our Network Map, if they run one.  

“When adding their details to our Map, we ask every group to complete a simple self-assessment form which helps us to ensure that every group on the map is working in a way that is inclusive for people living with dementia. We want the map to be a growing resource and a valuable tool for people living with dementia and their families and carers.” 

Luminate’s work aims to ensure that older people in Scotland have the opportunity to take part in creative activities, regardless of their circumstances.  The Dementia Inclusive Singing Network is a vital part of Luminate’s programme, supporting choirs and singing groups nationally, and helping people living with dementia to find creative opportunities in their communities. 

In recent years, documentary programmes such as My Dementia Choir fronted by actor Vicki McClure, have demonstrated the enormous potential for connection, enjoyment and wellbeing that singing in a choir or group can bring to those living with dementia.

Dementia UK says that listening to or participating in music – for example, by singing, dancing or playing instruments – can help people living with dementia develop and maintain relationships with others and improve their wellbeing. 

It can: 

·        help people to express their feelings and ideas, verbally and non-verbally 

·        act as a prompt for reminiscing 

·        help people to ‘tell their story’ and share their personal history 

·        encourage physical exercise, dance or movement 

·        encourage social interaction, reduce isolation, and help to engage people in group activities 

Scotland’s Dementia Inclusive Singing Network includes community choirs and singing groups that are open to all but are designed to be dementia inclusive, as well as those that have been specifically created for people living with dementia and their carers. They all have strong local community roots. 

The Dementia Inclusive Singing Network website has many free guides, along with song music and lyrics which can be downloaded for singing groups to use. Regular training and networking activities are offered for song leaders and conductors too.

Luminate hopes the addition of its map (https://singing.luminatescotland.org/find-a-choir-or-singing-group/ ) will mean that many more groups will consider joining the network so people across Scotland can easily find the group nearest to them.