Last Wednesday, Bristol Beacon welcomed residents and staff from six care homes to Bristol Cathedral for a unique musical encounter with Aurora Orchestra, to celebrate care in Bristol with the generous support of Bristol Care Homes.

Residents from Quarry House, Glebe House, Beech House, Katherine House, Griffiths House and St Monica Trust were ushered into the spectacular space of Bristol Cathedral before being seated around the nave and welcomed by the Dean of Bristol and Geoff Crocker, Chair Of Bristol Care Homes.

As Aurora’s conductor Nicholas Collon introduced the programme, orchestra players began to filter between and around the audience. 

First to be performed was a world premiere of Héloise Werner’s for Mira. Delicate and meditative strains enveloped the audience, underneath which players’ whispers could be heard, weaving amongst the overlapping fragments of music that poignantly explored memory. 

Next, after a reshuffling of performers around the space came Beethoven’s mighty Fifth Symphony. As the iconic opening reverberated around the acoustic the urgency of the music was felt in full force thanks to the Orchestra’s trademark ability to play from memory. So too was sheer joy on display – the players swayed, smiled and almost seemed thrilled to be ‘jamming’ together; the audience visibly marvelled at the skill of the orchestra and immediacy of the music. 

The ancient building’s height and resonance (I counted seven seconds’ reverb on a particular end-of-movement chord) made an already immersive experience overwhelming, as well as thrillingly loud. Tears were shed.”

Fiona Maddocks, reviewing for The Observer

Between movements the musicians repositioned themselves so audience members could get up close to a different section of the orchestra such as strings, woodwind, or brass.

Someone had asked me if I had enjoyed it, but to me ‘enjoy’ was a small word because it was fantastic! For me the instrument became the person and the person became the instrument as if they were merged into one. I have never had an experience like this where the orchestra moved around the audience.”

June, resident at Quarry House

As the performance ended and applause broke out, emotional and appreciative expressions were exchanged, and the afterglow of shared experience felt by all. 

It was powerful music and it was beautiful, I would love to go again.

Flo, resident at Glebe House

It was amazing and so lovely to see people enjoying themselves.

Pam, resident at Glebe House

It was wonderful, the lady by me playing the violin was brilliant and I had a chat with her afterwards. I told her it was not long enough and I could easily sit there all afternoon. I did not realise just how much effort had been put into it, I could not believe the standard of it.

Edna, resident at Quarry House

With thanks to Bristol Care Homes, St Monica’s Trust, the Grateful Society, the John James Bristol Foundation and the Anchor Society for supporting this programme.