Utah Symphony and Opera gives small performance to Alzheimer patients

Utah Symphony and Opera gives small performance to Alzheimer patients


18 photos
Save Story
Leer en español

Estimated read time: 2-3 minutes

This archived news story is available only for your personal, non-commercial use. Information in the story may be outdated or superseded by additional information. Reading or replaying the story in its archived form does not constitute a republication of the story.

SALT LAKE CITY — Utah Symphony and Utah Opera musicians regularly perform in Abravanel Hall and the Capitol Theatre, but for the month of May they're taking their music on the road to help raise awareness of Alzheimer's and dementia.

Musicians from the groups are volunteering their time and talents by performing at 10 assisted living facilities along the Wasatch Front. May is Making Sense of Alzheimer's Month, and the members of the orchestra understand what music can do for people who struggle with the disease.

One of the stops on their tour was to Emeritus Assisted Living in Salt Lake City. A small quartet played for a dozen or so audience members, and it struck a chord with those who attended.

"Well, I'm not an expert on music, but I love it," said Hulda Parker Young, a resident and audience member.

USUO musicians were the first in the country to create such a program. For just a few minutes, these Salt Lake City residents can recapture memories and experience the kind of feelings beautiful music brings.

"People with Alzheimer's may not recall that they've been to a concert, but during the concert itself, they can have a fabulous musical experience as anybody," said Paula Fowler, education and community outreach director for USUO.


People with Alzheimer's may not recall that they've been to a concert, but during the concert itself, they can have a fabulous musical experience as anybody.

–Paula Fowler, education and community outreach director for USOS


For the musicians, it's more than just giving back to the community. Joel Gibbs, a violist with the group, said the performances and audience members hit close to home.

In many cases, residents of facilities like Emeritus Assisted Living have an affinity for symphony, operas and other musical performances, but don't have the opportunity to attend showings regularly.

"Many of the residents have gone to the opera and gone to the symphony, and that was part of their life," said Jill Driesel, memory care program director at Emeritus Assisted Living. "So this is really exciting for them and it makes them feel part of the community."

USUO is offering free or discounted tickets for caregivers and families if they are able to bring Alzheimer's patients to Abravanel Hall or the Capitol Theatre for a performance in May.

Photos

Related links

Related stories

Most recent Utah stories

Related topics

Utah
Carole Mikita

    STAY IN THE KNOW

    Get informative articles and interesting stories delivered to your inbox weekly. Subscribe to the KSL.com Trending 5.
    By subscribing, you acknowledge and agree to KSL.com's Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.

    KSL Weather Forecast