The City of London Sinfonia is starting a new series called, CLS Minis, holding two performances at The Albany on the 17 of April. Here is a blog post from the London Sinfonia on the meaning behind Music and Mindfulness.
Strings at the Albany: Relaxed Performance 1.30 pm.
and,
Strings at the Albany: Music and Mindfulness 7 pm.
Music and Mindfulness
In today’s world, we need time to stop and focus. We need time that doesn’t involve being bombarded with the deafening noise of work and noise pollution; to have a break from social media and other things that are supposed to make our lives better, but quite often make our minds overly busy and stressed and tired.
In our Music and Mindfulness concerts, CLS violinist and mindfulness practitioner Ann Lovatt (referred to as Ann Morfee elsewhere) and the musicians of City of London Sinfonia are there to give you a “magic hour” of peace and calm.
The musicians of City of London Sinfonia are there to give you a “magic hour” of peace and calm.
Previously, audience members at Modern Mystics: The Fruit of Silence experienced a mindful meditation with Ann before listening to the beautiful music of Arvo Pärt and Peteris Vasks performed in the tranquil surroundings of Southwark Cathedral. We also took Music and Mindfulness to a place of work, to help city workers start their day with positive and focused minds.
The inclusion of a short mindful meditation within a live performance aims to enhance the listeners’ experiences of the music being performed, bringing an immediate sense of well being to compliment that which comes through the music alone.
How do live music and mindfulness work together?
Mindfulness is a practice that encourages you to step out of autopilot. It allows you to reconnect with your body and your breath; becoming aware of stress and it’s causes. Meditation is a proven method of reducing stress, and music is also proven to have therapeutic effects. Music has the power to excite, calm, and reach the myriad of emotions in between.
When preparing for a mindful music session, Ann looks in depth at the music – for example, the structure, context and how the instruments might be used. In each session, she hopes to highlight aspects of the music which allow some insight or reflection appropriate to the practice of meditation. Throughout the mindfulness session, Ann bears all the musical factors in mind and references the chosen piece of music before it is performed live by CLS musicians.
Where can I experience Music and Mindfulness?
In April 2018, our strings, brass and woodwind sections will take it in turns to perform lunchtime and evening miniatures at various venues in our CLS Minis series. These include three Music and Mindfulness concerts in Deptford, Mile End and Marble Arch.
Catch the two performances at The Albany, April 17th:
1. Strings at the Albany: Relaxed Performance 1.30 pm.
and,
2. Strings at the Albany: Music and Mindfulness 7 pm.
The Albany, Deptford 