We all know that music is a great way of helping to care for older people and support those with dementia. Music can soothe, stimulate and bring to mind long-forgotten memories … and reach parts of the brain that other forms of communication cannot.
We’re sure that many of those in your care have fond memories of family gramophones and the music of the era.
Throughout lockdown and beyond, Coda Music Trust has worked hard to ensure that all of the vulnerable groups with whom it works can still access and enjoy music and music-making activities.
With this in mind, we have produced a unique series of short videos called ‘Gramophone Time,’ introduced by community musician Stuart Jebbitt.
In these clips, Stuart fires up his Gramophone and plays some original 78s, introducing the music of the era, alongside images and facts relating to the songs, artists and time period, designed to bring back memories and start conversations.
Songs and artists include The Goons, Jimmy Durante, Tommy Steele, Gracie Fields and Rosemary Clooney – and you’ll immediately recognise some of the classic and old favourite songs like ‘How Much Is That Doggy In The Window” and “Mambo Italiano.”
You will find this series on the Gramophone Time page on Coda Music Trust’s website – just click the link below:
In addition to the Gramophone Time series, we are now launching a new Dansette Time series where Stuart will be moving from 78rpm to 45rpm and playing 7″ singles on his reproduction Dansette, starting with Billy Fury.
These will all be added to the Gramophone Time webpage as they are released, so please keep revisiting the website for new content.
Coda Music Trust is a unique, award-winning charity, based on the Dorset/Hampshire border, which uses music for personal and social change. Believing in the power of music to transform lives, Coda is a small charity with a huge impact on the local community. With both our on-site and outreach work, we tackle issues of social deprivation, isolation, ill-health and disability and elicit positive change and improve wellbeing through music throughout Dorset, Hampshire and The New Forest.
Stuart Jebbitt is an experienced music leader who works in a rage of settings and has many years of experience using music to engage with a wide variety of groups. He regularly visits and plays in local residential care homes and leads Coda Music Trust’s ‘Beautiful Sounds’ sessions for adults with learning disabilities.
Working with local residential care homes and care providers, we hope to reach as many people as possible with our Gramophone Time episodes. It would be hugely appreciated if you can help us to spread the word to your networks. If you know of any people or organisations who might welcome this content, please pass on this information and help us to share.
That link again is:
We hope you enjoy the Gramophone Time series and that it might be a useful tool for communication, engagement or just pure entertainment!
