Music from the heart: a charity helps people living with dementia write and record their own songs
In a memorable collaboration that blends heritage, care, and creativity, a UK charity is helping people living with dementia compose and record their own songs. The project, hosted at the famed Glyndebourne opera house, brings together participants, musicians, and producers to transform personal memories and experiences into original music.
A venue steeped in musical history meets a new kind of performance
Glyndebourne, renowned for its intimate staging and legendary artists, has provided more than a venue for this initiative. It offers an environment where the voices of people living with dementia are heard in their own right, supported by a team of clinicians, music therapists, and facilitators. By recording songs that participants themselves have written, the project creates a tangible artifact of memory and expression that can endure beyond the moment of performance.
From idea to melody: the creative process
The process begins with conversations, prompts, and gentle musical guidance designed to spark ideas and emotions. Participants craft melodies and lyrics that reflect personal stories, daily routines, hopes, and memories. Professional musicians and trained facilitators nurture the creative process, ensuring that it remains a joyful, collaborative activity rather than a diagnostic exercise.
As the songs take shape, participants are supported to experiment with rhythm, harmony, and tempo. The studio environment—quiet, respectful, and encouraging—helps reduce anxiety often associated with performance while amplifying the sense of agency that comes from creating original work. The end result is a set of songs that are uniquely theirs, ready for recording at Glyndebourne.
Impact beyond the studio
Music therapy experts emphasize that fanfare and formal performance are only part of the benefit. The act of writing and recording can stimulate memory recall, cognitive engagement, and social connection. For many participants, this project provides a platform to share experiences with family, carers, and the broader community, reducing stigma and opening up conversations about dementia in a positive, creative context.
A model for care and culture
Projects like this underscore how cultural institutions can play a meaningful role in dementia care. By partnering with a charity focused on empowering people living with dementia through music, Glyndebourne demonstrates that the arts are not merely spectator experiences but active, participatory journeys. The resulting tracks are more than music; they are records of identity, resilience, and community.
What comes next
Organizers hope to expand the program, inviting more participants from diverse backgrounds to contribute their original songs. There are plans for intimate public listening events and potential companion exhibitions that explore the relationship between memory, aging, and music. As audiences listen to the finished recordings, they gain insight into the rich inner lives of people living with dementia and the value of creative collaboration in care settings.
Why this matters
Beyond the emotional resonance of each track, the project challenges assumptions about dementia. It highlights…
