Scottish Fiddle Orchestra celebrate 40 years with accessible concerts at Edinburgh's Usher Hall

It was Hans Christian Andersen who said “Where words fail, music speaks” and at 3pm on Monday 30 December 2020, The Scottish Fiddle Orchestra will be joined by more than 60 guests suffering from dementia along with family members and carers at the Usher Hall.

People with disabilities can find it difficult to attend formal concerts due to physical, mental or behavioural constraints. As it approaches its 40th birthday, the Scottish Fiddle orchestra continues to widen access to live music in major concert venues by hosting people with disabilities at their pre-concert rehearsals, something they have been doing for the last two years.

It is an initiative that has proved hugely popular causing a spokesperson for The Singing Groups and The Forget Me Notes to declare, “We had a wonderful time at the Orchestra’s rehearsal.

“To sum up the impact your music has on our members - by the end, Rose, who has very poor mobility and needs constant support to stand and walk, was dancing in front of her seat, while holding onto the back of the seats in front and behind.”

The Scottish Fiddle Orchestra will offer this at all their Scottish Concerts in 2020, which brings them back to the Usher Hall on 13 June and 30 December 2020.

So if you thought you couldn’t go to a concert or if this is something your organisation could benefit from contact [email protected] now.