A talented pair of musicians have transcended the generations by performing together at Balhousie Lisden, bringing the home’s musical tradition full circle.
A bringing together of youth and wisdom, Abbie Ogilvy, an 18-year-old Care Assistant and singer, and David Rattray, an 80-year-old- resident and pianist, have been wowing residents and staff at our care home in Kirriemuir.
Both from Kirriemuir, Abbie was approached to sing for the residents by Robyn Oliphant, the Clinical Lead at Balhousie Lisden, after Robyn saw Abbie performing in the Kirriemuir Panto Group.
David’s connection to performing at Lisden is one that has been ongoing for decades. A sociable and popular member of the local community, over a 20-year-period, David visited the home every Thursday to play the piano for the residents. Now, he calls Balhousie Lisden his home as a resident.
His piano performances at the home are remembered by many in the local community. None more so than Agnes Oliphant, the Home Manager. Long before she worked at Lisden, Agnes visited on her wedding day in 1995 to show her dress to her husband’s granny who was a resident there. Agnes said:
“We got married on a Thursday, so I remember that David was playing in the lounge that day. They called us in and he played ‘Here Comes the Bride’ for us. It’s such a special memory from our wedding day and quite amazing how life can come full circle really.”
David plays by ear to accompany Abbie as she sings classic songs more from David’s era, from Over the Rainbow from The Wizard of Oz to Can’t Help Falling in Love by Elvis Presley.
Abbie is currently completing an access course to go to university and study Adult Nursing and she couldn’t be happier to be learning about care in a home like Lisden. Abbie said:
“I’ve learnt so much. Every resident has such unique needs, so I’m learning about lots of different aspects of their care. I love being able to help the residents, getting to know them, speaking with them. And, as singing is a passion too, to be able to sing for our residents is the icing on the cake.”
Abbie and David are planning to perform together again in the coming months, something that both are looking forward to. Abbie said:
“It was so heart-warming to sing with David. He had a huge smile on his face the whole time he was accompanying me. It will be lovely to perform with him again.”
David added:
“I came here every Thursday to play for the residents and I always really enjoyed doing that. I play everything that I know from memory, no music needed. Now I am really enjoying living here myself and wouldn’t want to be anywhere else. I am so well looked after.”
