The Kingston Symphony brings live music to seniors in new collaboration with Concerts in Care Ontario

By Christena Lawrie, CFRC's Broadcast Journalist and Local Journalism Initiative Reporter.

This month, the Kingston Symphony Association celebrated a new partnership with Concerts in Care Ontario, bringing live music to local seniors. 

Concerts in Care Ontario brings professional musicians into seniors’ homes, long-term care, and assisted living facilities across the province, reaching seniors who can no longer attend concerts in traditional venues.

Over April, Symphony musicians performed eight chamber concerts in retirement and long-term care homes in the Kingston area.

Debra Chandler, Executive Director of Concerts in Care Ontario, highlighted the impact of music in care settings in an interview with CFRC, “You’re in long-term care where there may be catatonic people who haven’t talked in months, but all of sudden you see a little finger move and all of a sudden somebody’s clapping … or a little smile. And that is just why we do this.”

The collaboration was been warmly received by residents, staff, and musicians alike, with plans to continue and expand the partnership in the future.

Listen to the full story here.