In order to bring classical music closer to different members of our community, Music Lab organizes different formats of workshops with different collaborators. These workshops are centered on the theme of the role of music in the lives of the elderly and people living with dementia.

Lecture workshops

Since 2019, the NSO has organized two 4-day music workshops on dementia and music care every year, partnering with Manchester Camerata and the Royal Academy of Music's Open Academy. The workshops series, entitled “Here, We Reconnect”, consists of public lectures on topics such as community participation and free improvisation. The attendees of the workshops include Taiwanese musicians and artists who work with the community. 

Taiwanese artists draw inspiration from these lectures on how they can use their musical skills to engage seniors through improvisation, co-composition, and participation. These workshops have been attended thus far by more than 100 people. The first workshops were widely-reported in the media, who remarked that the NSO was the first organization in Taiwan to bring together music and healthcare. The workshops were also featured in a 6-part documentary of the same title. 

Photo｜Tat-Keng, TEY

Photo｜Tat-Keng, TEY

Training workshops

In 2021, the NSO ran two instances of a 10-day training course which provided the 45 trainees with theories and methods to bring music into the lives of the elderly. The 45 trainees were all passionate about long-term care and music therapy, and had diverse backgrounds including music teachers, NSO musicians, and long-term-caregivers from different healthcare institutions. The training course was also run by Manchester Camerata. The NSO ran the course again in 2022 and 2023. 

The aim of the training course is to empower trainees to develop music care modules suitable for Taiwanese elderly. To-date, more than 100 participants have graduated from the course.

Photo｜Tat-Keng, TEY

Photo｜Tat-Keng, TEY

In 2023, the NSO included some innovations in the structure of the workshop:

• Inviting back alumni of the 2020 and 2021 courses to inspire new participants;
• Holding the second day of the workshop at Juguang Social Housing' s branch co-located at the Taipei City Hospital. This allowed for further insights and deeper discussion during the course.