Health Arts Society: Concerts in Care UBC Ambassadors Programme

Health Arts Society’s Concerts in Care at 10: UBC at 100 A joint celebration for the benefit of students, and of audiences in care

Imran Amarshi, Clarinet

What a treat it was to witness such extraordinary talents as they embark on their musical careers. Moments like these really confirm the restorative powers of music and the importance of the [Concerts in Care] programme. Thank you.

CHOWN ADULT DAY CENTRE

Tom Gamble, Guitar

Concerts in Care UBC Ambassadors 10/100 Health Arts Society in BC was incorporated on January 4th, 2006 to bring the joy and enrichment of professional music making to audiences in residential care and retirement homes. Our tenth anniversary in 2016 offers a time to reflect on what has been accomplished under the style of Concerts in Care, and to look forward to the work of meeting our further goals. Health Arts Society has presented nearly 7,000 concerts to an audience of some 350,000 in 261 homes across BC. The association with the UBC School of Music began in 2008 with the formulation of the Concerts in Care UBC Ambassadors program, exclusively linked to Health Arts Society. The rigorously auditioned program has admitted 112 students, undergraduate and graduate, to the opportunity to perform concerts to Concerts in Care audiences. 498 concerts have been presented in the lower mainland and on three tours of the interior of the province. The integration of student performances has been carefully managed. The core program of Concerts in Care remains fully professional, the Concerts in Care UBC Ambassadors program enables accomplished preprofessional players to give concerts to people in the community, including people who are frail and no longer able to access public venues. The auditions have selected many young players on the verge of professional careers or demonstrably playing at an extremely high standard.

The tenth anniversary of Concerts in Care and the centenary of UBC bring an opportunity to further develop the Ambassadors program. The program will be expanded to increase both the number of concerts and the number of students involved, and it will be more firmly integrated into the training curriculum, counting for credit toward degree requirements.

The 2016 plan foresees 127 concerts performed to Concerts in Care audiences, about 15% of the concerts given by Health Arts Society, including tours to homes in the north and interior of the Province.

David Lemon, M.S.M. Founder, Executive and Artistic Director, Health Arts Society

Concerts in Care

| 1 | 10th Anniversary

Cultivating Compassionate Musician Citizens UBC Music students are passionately dedicated to improving their skill and artistry as performers. And they understand the deep expressive and vital healing powers of music — after all, they are drawn to it powerfully as a daily practice that nourishes their spirit and gives energetic rhythm to their every move. They give many performances to appreciative audiences of all ages in the concert halls and recital halls on campus. But it is through their performances as Concerts in Care UBC Ambassadors that they experience most vividly the restorative power of their music, reflected in the brightened faces and tapping toes of the patients and staff in the healthcare facilities. They are reminded that music is a gift that is most meaningful when shared, and that every person has a lifelong yearning for the positive energy and emotional understanding that music gives us, quenching our thirst and reviving our spirit.

The Concerts in Care UBC Ambassadors program gives participating students deeper insight into their role in society. Their Concerts in Care performances teach them to connect as directly as possible with their audiences, and to be communicative and eloquent in their playing and their conversation with the audience. They experience their ability to bring delight and joy, and they gain confidence and inspiration. They understand the beauty and power of contributing to the well-being and happiness of others, and they gain a strengthened sense of purpose and meaning.

The enhanced program we have designed to mark our aligned 10th and 100th anniversaries aims to significantly increase the number of UBC Music students in the program and also the number of concerts they perform. And we are deepening the role of the program in our curriculum, in terms of instructional time and credits students can receive when they participate, because we see the Concerts in Care UBC Ambassadors program as a wonderfully inspiring and effective way to train musician citizens who contribute compassionately to the community.

This partnership between the Health Arts Society and the UBC School of Music creates a unique opportunity for young people to both give and grow. We invite you to join with us — to bring resonant joy to healthcare facilities in the Lower Mainland, and around our beautiful province.

Dr. Richard Kurth, BSc (Tor), MMus (Hartford), PhD (Harv) Director, UBC School of Music

Concerts in Care

| 2 | 10th Anniversary

The Concerts in Care UBC Ambassadors programme was hugely instrumental in my professional career.

Each time we performed in a different care centre, we learned something new and valuable. The program taught us to persevere and thrive through our performances, even when obstacles came our way.

Patrons were so thankful and excited to have us there that often times their excitement translated in many ways that could be construed as distracting.

But their energy ultimately made our performances more meaningful. I truly believe that this program demonstrates the power of music and its healing qualities. My partner and I observed many occasions where patrons who had trouble speaking or moving responded to our songs in ways that shocked their

Concerts in Care

Eva Tavares, Soprano

care takers. Music makes an impact on human beings, and that impact stays with you throughout life. It marks the highs and lows of life in ways that nothing else can. This program proves that, and proved to me why my job as an artist is vital.

EVA TAVARES, SOPRANO

| 3 | 10th Anniversary

Borealis String Quartet The Spring 5

We had [The Spring 5] quintet here this morning and I wanted to say THANK YOU. The residents, families and staff all really enjoyed the music and presentation. It is so refreshing to have a group of young, talented, professional musicians offering a classical programme. We look forward to next month’s performance.

THE HAMLETS AT WESTSYDE

Concerts in Care

| 4 | 10th Anniversary

Irene Setiawan, Piano

Concerts in Care has given me such an invaluable experience to perform and speak in public. Through this, it has helped me to realize deeper that ultimately performing is about giving, and that music can change someone’s day, or even,

someone’s life. It has also broadened my repertoire, not only classical music, but also jazz, folksongs, and arrangements. Indeed, I am very thankful of Concerts in Care program as it has helped me develop performance, speaking, and creative skills.

IRENE SETIAWAN, PIANO

Concerts in Care

| 5 | 10th Anniversary

Paul Hung

The many performance opportunities offered to me as a Concerts in Care UBC Ambassador have helped immensely in refining my craft as both a flutist and artist. The experience of performing for the residents is also an incredibly rewarding feeling. Many residents even get engaged with the music, humming along or moving about. Seeing such a positive and warm response made me realize that classical music was touching their hearts and had made their day. This invaluable lesson has shaped me to be the musician I’m today both physically and emotionally.

PAUL HUNG

Concerts in Care

| 6 | 10th Anniversary

The performances never disappoint, we’re thrilled to be part of [Concerts in Care].

BEULAH GARDENS ADULT DAY CENTRE & SOUTH VANCOUVER NEIGHBOURHOOD HOUSE

Jacob Seyer, Guitar

Concerts in Care is a wonderful opportunity to share music for those who do not have access to a concert hall setting. I feel that it is an important program as it acts as both a performance opportunity for musicians today, and it exposes music to a wider audience. It warms my heart whenever I see residents responding to the music.

NICOLE LINAKSITA, PIANO

Nicole Linaksita, Piano

Concerts in Care

| 7 | 10th Anniversary

On behalf of the staff, residents and families of Pleasant Valley Manor, I would like to thank all of those members of the Health Arts Society for setting up the performances. At the last performance we had 52 residents attend (one of our largest turnouts ever). The majority of our residents suffer from dementia/Alzheimer’s and for the duration of the performance ALL of the residents sat attentively and quietly. One resident who is often very agitated and calls out, sat for the entire performance with her eyes closed and a smile on her face. The quality of the performances was excellent, and everyone here feels fortunate to have that superior level of talent at our home.

Michael Vaughan, Double Bass

PLEASANT VALLEY MANOR

Concerts in Care

| 8 | 10th Anniversary

The program allowed me to understand the true meaning of a successful performance.

I used to think that you succeed when you perform at a highly recognized venue and for a big audience, but after the first performances at senior houses and hospitals I felt an indescribable joy that I had never felt before. You really succeed as a musician when you perform music for people who really need it and appreciate it.

Performing for Health Arts Society allowed me to make and feel a real connection with one of the most vulnerable populations, the elderly. This is a very rewarding experience because by [making] music and offering my talent I feel like I am contributing to the well-being of these persons.

DAVID SOSSA FERNANDEZ. GUITAR

For students it is not very easy to get performance opportunities and it becomes harder when you have to make a living by doing it. This program allowed me to be an active performer and earn some income as well.

Concerts in Care

David Sossa Fernandez, Guitar

| 9 | 10th Anniversary

The clients loved the diversity of the play list – long pieces / short pieces, modern / classic. To see three different instruments perform at once was enthralling and unique – a violin, a cello, and piano.

The performers were very talented, engaging. Their pauses to speak to the audience were eloquent, smart, informative. At the end of the concert, I invited clients to talk to the performers; as the performers packed their instruments, a few clients came to ask questions and the performers were very friendly: there was a wonderful conversation. I appreciate when performers take their time to leave after the concert to provide a possible more personal moment for questions by the clients. The performance was uplifting, delightful, a pure joy.

CROSSREACH ADULT DAY CENTRE

For more details of the work of the society please visit www.healtharts.org