ELDERLY residents from care homes came together to perform in a music concert with an orchestra.

The Essex Folk project saw people from Cheviot Nursing Home and Scarlett’s Care Home, in Colchester, Well House, in Brightlingsea, and Clacton’s Sea Breeze Residential Care Home take part in a number of musical workshops.

Composer Sam Glazer and members of the Sinfonia Viva orchestra encouraged residents to explore music through different activities and games.

They all came together to perform at Colchester Arts Centre in front of family and friends. The project is run by Sinfonia Viva and Orchestras Live in partnership with Essex County Council’s cultural development and quality improvement teams.

Essex county councillor Dick Madden said: “This is an excellent project that has enabled older residents in north Essex care homes to engage with music and be really creative.

“It has also enhanced the skills of staff within the homes and contributed to the ongoing arts work with older people in Essex.”