Silent Orchestra

Commissioned by Institute of Mental Health and City Arts in response to the ORCHARD study, we developed a multi-sensory music therapy tool to help communication in care homes for residents with dementia and hearing loss. Silent Orchestra was created by myself, Jamie Sykes, Andrew Johnston and James Fowkes following music enrichment sessions with residents at Church Farm at Skylarks care home. In its first iteration the installation comprises a diffused LED curtain, three electronic instruments and two vibrating cushions. The instruments can be played (plucked, struck, pressed) and each note (using the pentatonic scale) will trigger LED strips, vibrations and sound through headphones. Music can therefore be experienced and enjoyed with multiple senses.

Write up by Bridie Squires in Left Lion magazine here: https://www.leftlion.co.uk/read/2020/january/silent-orchestra/

With enormous gratitude to Nottingham Hackspace.