Project pairs Edmonton Symphony Orchestra with Parkinson Alberta

A cacophony of sound greets you as you enter the Buchanan Centre, home of Parkinson Alberta.

Together a group of people are making music as part of a pilot project.

The Edmonton Symphony Orchestra and Parkinson Alberta teamed up for five weeks, pairing musicians with people who haven't picked up an instrument in a long time.

When Vaughn Atkinson, a former elementary music teacher, was diagnosed with Parkinson's disease he all but gave up playing instruments.

"We have many people with Parkinson's who were instrumentalists and this is a way for them to keep up their skills, to rediscover their skills, to know that even though they have the disease, they still can do what they like doing and can still have a full, and varied life," Atkinson said. 

Atkinson himself has been working with a musician once a week to re-learn his skills.

"Part of Parkinson is the tremor, a lot of people know it. So it makes it difficult for me to play the recorder the way I used to. But coming here I've been able to focus on controlling my tremor, and trying to do as best I can with the instrument."

The program combines music, movement, and music improvisation led by Edmonton Symphony Orchestra Composer-in-Residence John McPherson and staff of the Winspear Centre for Music.

Alison Kenny-Gardhouse, director of musical creativity with the symphony, says the musicians enjoy teaching their students.

"To be able to come together and do something that is positive. It may not always sound perfect, it's never about perfection," said Kenny-Gardhouse.

"It's that joy of being able to make music together, to me that is a tremendous success."

Brandi LeBonte, spokesperson with Parkinson Alberta, says this is just one of many projects they offer to their clients to return to them a bit of normality.

"One of the things we hear from our clients, especially when they are new to us is, 'I used to be.'

"I used to be a musician, I used to be an athlete, I used to be an artist. And one of the things we really try and do at Parkinson Alberta is remind them there is no used to be, you still are. Parkinson's disease is what you have, it is not who you are."