St James Garlickhythe was filled with the soothing sounds of classical music, brought to life by our Vice President and Grammy Award winning pianist, Christopher Glynn, internationally renowned soprano Rowan Pierce and our wonderful musician Julia White.
With music spanning centuries, the evening was a celebration of music in its many different roles.
Christopher explains: “Live music is incredibly moving because you see how much people value it and how it can transform their emotional state. We know that emotional wellbeing plays an important role in recovery, and I think that’s where the value of music lies. It has the power to shift how people feel and, ultimately, improve their quality of life.
The programme began and ended with ‘Music, for a while, shall all your cares beguile’. The opening line of one of Purcell’s most famous songs, which gave the programme its starting point: the idea that music can console, delight, stir memories, lift spirits and bring people together,” Christopher adds.
The programme brought together music from Purcell, Schubert, Handel and Howells. It also included film scores such as The Mission, Amélie and songs from The Sound of Music.
Music in Hospitals & Care musician, Julia White shares her thoughts: “It was a privilege to play alongside such accomplished musicians, and I hope that the event will both have raised awareness and much needed funds for the important work that Music in Hospitals and Care does.”
Thank you to everyone who joined us and supported the evening. We were honoured to welcome Sir Thomas Allen, renowned operatic baritone and President of Music in Hospitals & Care to the event.
We’d also like to thank our wonderful trustees Charmian May and Maureen Hall for hosting. Charmian adds: “It was a very special evening. A splendid celebration of music and all that the charity does to improve people’s lives.”
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World Alzheimer’s Month: Lifting spirits in Cumbria
Our musician Andy McKay has been visiting wards and care homes across Barrow-in-Furness in Cumbria, where we have been able to share 29 hours of live music between September 2025 and May 2026. One of the spaces Andy visited is the Ramsey Unit at Furness General Hospital, an assessment unit for patients with organic illnesses such as dementia.
Read our latest annual report
In 2025/26 we focused on setting the right note for the future. Despite a challenging landscape, we are proud of what we have been able to achieve with your support.