This project, funded by The Winston Churchill Memorial Trust and The Baring foundation, focuses on the role of music in the wellbeing of older adults, and is a comparative study of practices in Japan, South Korea, Singapore, Malaysia, with the author’s own experience of music making practices in the UK.

The aim was to examine the similarities and differences in participative musical practice between these highly different cultures, in order to broaden and enliven practice in the UK, particularly with people in care settings and people experiencing dementia. A six-week research project was carried out, visiting projects and practitioners in each of the four countries, and observing examples of practical work in action.

Bentley J. (2015). Music and wellbeing in older adults: East to West. London: Winston Churchill Memorial Trust.