Dementia singalong was a success in West Wight

By Roz Whistance

The West Wight Dementia Choir played, to a packed audience with a performance which became one giant singalong, at Freshwater Memorial Hall on Sunday.

The dementia-friendly choir, based in Freshwater, hosted a café-style evening in which the public were invited to share in the songs and activities they share each week. Favourites such as Doris Day’s ‘Que Sera, Sera’, ‘O Soldier, Soldier, Won’t You Marry Me’ and ‘I Closed My Eyes’, were led by musical director, Pam Wedgwood.

One special moment came when Pam introduced Derek, who had written a poem about the loss of his wife to dementia. Pam had set the poem, ‘When I Remember You’, to music and, with backing from the volunteers, Derek sang the moving song.

The songs were interleaved by guest pianists, first the remarkable duo, Berendina Cook and Matthew Stanley, who performed Mozart’s Piano Duet in D Major, KV 381, Debussy’s Petite Suite and two Spanish dances by Moscowski. Then followed Max Pemberton, who was taught piano by Pam, from age eight to 15, before he studied at the Guildhall School of Music. Now 23, Max is a talented pianist who, because of a recently-diagnosed problem with his right hand, played three pieces written for left hand only. He played two pieces by Scriabin, and then a Bach Chaconne. Only by watching the performance was it possible to believe he was using one hand only.

The concert was held to raise awareness of the value of music for dementia sufferers, and to raise money to spread the choir ‘formula’ across the Island.

The choir was started in 2019 by Pam and the late Marion Bretell. “I promised her we would carry on with the choir,” said Pam.

The choir offers singing and music for those whose lives are affected by dementia, on Wednesday mornings at Freshwater

Methodist Church from 10.30am. For more info call Pam on 07729 938893.