Musical Dreams
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Winner of the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee Award for Voluntary Services.The ‘Symphony of Dreams’ Charitable Trust is registered in Scotland.
Scottish Charity Number: SC030153
2000-2015
Introduction
Charity info
Musical Dream 147
Organised three music acts to perform at the Beason Cancer Charity ‘Walk of Life’ event at Riverside Museum.
Musical Dream 1 James (12) who is blind due to brain tumours was given a music hi-fi as he enjoys listening to music.
Musical Dream 100
Provided entertainer Murdo Mitchell for Radio Lollipop’s Birthday party and a visit to the wards.
Musical Dream 141
Provided a keyboard/acoustic guitar to the Teenage Cancer Trust to realise potential and benefit hundreds of patients each year.
Musical Dream 94
Two sisters who are deaf were invited to The Wanted soundcheck party and introduced to the band before the concert.
Musical Dream 200
Provided artists including Tom Russell for Hospital Broadcasting Service shows broadcasting to five hospitals.
Musical Dream 125
A songwriting workshop with Emily Middlemas at Yorkhill Hospital Caledonia ward.
Musical Dream 88
Provided Piano lessons at Biggars Music School for 4 children who are profoundly deaf.
Musical Dream 170
Provided an acoustic guitar and karaoke machine to Teenage Cancer Trust (Royal Children’s Hospital).
Musical Dream 118
Provided a music library and P.A. to the Beatson Hospital to benefit hundreds of patients each year.
Musical Dream 214 girls from the Spina Bifida Association were taken to meet Westlife.
Musical Dream 318
Garage band /musical composition with iPads in Victoria Hospital for patients with Cystic Fybrosis.
Musical Dream 72
Produced a play for 20 young people (6-19) from West Scotland Deaf Children’s Society.
Musical Dream 179
Sydney Devine performed for the patients and their families at the Beatson Cancer Hospital.
Musical Dream 17Introduced Nicola (21) who has spina bifida hydrocephalus since birth was taken to meet her favourite band Blue.
Musical Dream 227
Frank Holden as Frank Sinatra performing at St. Margaret’s of Scotland Hospice Christmas party.
Musical Dream 63
Provided singing lessons for Maggie’s centre and recorded the choir at the Royal Conservatoire.
Musical Dream 163
Organised Jai McDowall to sing at the MediCinema and the Prince and Princess of Wales Hospice.
Musical Dream 15Enabled Dorothy (65) to see Carmen at the King's Theatre as she was unable to attend the opera since becoming disabled.
Musical Dream 221
Tickets for a profoundly deaf child to see his idol Rihanna in concert.
Musical Dream 62
10 young people (13-22) from Rachel House and Robin House Hospice performed their own songs at the ‘Symphony of Songs’ concert held in Glasgow City Chambers to an audience of 120. The Civic reception was hosted by the Lord Provost with Master of Ceremonies Radio Clyde George Bowie.
Musical Dream 152
Musical drama session with Libby McArthur for the Teenage Cancer Trust (Beatson).
Musical Dream 12Donna (34) born with Spina Bifida was taken to meet Ronan Keating at the SECC.
Musical Dream 201
Provided 3 artists to perform at #engage at Science Centre for NHS Specialist Children’s Services.
Musical Dream 105
4 acoustic guitars delivered to Stobhill hospital’s Skye Ward to enable an after school club.
Musical Dream 58
John with cerebral palsy and his dad were introduced to Status Quo and given a concert pass.
Musical Dream 150
Provided 3 acoustic guitars and lessons for young people undergoing dialysis at the Royal Hospital for Children.
Musical Dream 8Kirsty (34) with cerebral palsy and registered blind was given a keyboard that lights up to sit across her wheelchair.
Musical Dreams Do Come True
Musical Dream 102
Lorraine with severe arthritis was taken to meet Dean Park and Christian and attend their show at the Pavilion Theatre.
Musical Dream 26
Organised 5 young adults (5Aid) from Children’s Hospice Scotland (CHAS) to record a Christmas song at a recording studio.
Introduction
I was five years old when I first saw him. He was dressed in white, enshrined in a cape of diamonds, and carried a crown… My fairytale was to meet ‘the King’, however he did become my first muse…
From that little girls dream not coming true… I have granted hundreds upon hundreds of individual bespoke ‘musical dreams’ and created ‘How Great Thou Art’ group projects (designed to inspire musical dreams) for Dreamers of all generations: who are disadvantaged through having life-limiting conditions, are disabled, chronically ill, or suffer from the effects of poverty in Scotland. In 2018 I launched the ‘Lullaby Legacy Guitar Project’ in Tupelo Hardware Store, Mississippi.
A few years ago I read in Larry Geller’s Leaves of Elvis’ Garden that in 1977 Elvis said, “I want to start a charity; I’d love to do something for kids who are suffering and have incurable diseases.” The Queen’s Award winning ‘Symphony of Dreams’ Charitable Trust’ – is the first of its kind in the world created solely to make a musical dream a musical reality – from rock and roll, to echoes of a gospel choir, to the sounds of a symphony…
As I celebrate the 20th Anniversary – it has been a privilege to make a symphony of dreams come true. Thank you to the Dreamers and Dream-makers. Thank you to ‘the King’ and the Queen x 20.
The ‘Symphony of Dreams’ Charitable Trust. Winner of the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee Award for Voluntary Service.
L. A. McConnell MBE, 8 January 2020.
Founder, The ‘Symphony of Dreams’ Charitable Trust. Founder, L.A.M. Productions.
My musical dream never came true…
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Testimonials
“The Scottish Parliament congratulates, ‘Symphony Of Dreams’ for the good work it has been doing in Glasgow and wishes continued success in activities such as encouraging people to achieve their musical aspirations by giving them a chance to hear, feel, see and create music.”
Motion lodged by Sandra White MSP Deputy Shadow Spokesperson for Health &Social Justice.
“It gives me great pleasure to congratulate the Trust on receiving the Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service 2013 in recognition of the excellent work in bringing music into the lives of those who are disadvantaged in Glasgow. The Scottish Government places great importance on the contribution which individuals can make, as volunteers, to the success of Scotland. The award to your organisation reflects considerable hard work and is well deserved.”
Rt Hon Alex Salmond MSP.
“His Royal Highness Prince Charles sends you his best wishes.”
Private Secretary to HRH the Prince of Wales.
“Warmest congratulations on realising the dreams of people living in deprived circumstances across Scotland by giving them a music related experience they will never forget.”
Aileen Campbell, Minister for Children and Young People.
“The band and I were only too pleased to help fulfill three musical dreams. I wish you the very best of luck in the future. Keep up the good work.”
Francis Rossi, Status Quo.
“The most innovative, inspirational and aspirational charity which I’ve ever become aware of. It has the gratitude of politicians and medical professionals for the brightness that is brought into lives by making wishes real.”
Bill Kidd MSP.
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Scottish Charity Number: SC030153. 2000-2020
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The Symphony of Dreams Charitable Trust
IntroductionThe ‘Symphony of Dreams’ Charitable Trust is a Queen’s Award winning Scottish charity founded by Linda Ann McConnell with a vision to make ‘musical dreams’ come true. The charity endeavours to bring music into the lives of dreamers of all generations who have life-limiting conditions, are chronically sick, disabled, disadvantaged, or who may suffer from the effects of poverty.
Vision* To grant a ‘musical dream’ for those unable to realize them on their own.
* To advance the arts, heritage, culture and education in all aspects of the musical spectrum.
* To help discover the educational, spiritual or therapeutic benefits from the musical arts.
* To encourage musical aspirations by offering a chance to hear, feel, see and create music.
* To make a difference, to engage, educate, transform and inspire through the gift of music.
* To use the power of music to widen horizons, release hidden dreams, realise potential, bring hope.
Why make a ‘Musical Dream’ come true?Dreams are important because they give us hope. Music in all its expressions takes myriad forms, transcending languages, cultures and borders. There is scientific evidence proving the therapeutic benefits of music in healthcare. Our dream is that every dreamer has their musical dream realized across the musical spectrum, and to keep the spirit of rock 'n' roll alive.
HistoryFrom the Founder’s one dream the Trust has granted hundreds of individual bespoke ‘musical dreams’ and created unique ‘How Great Thou Art’ group projects (designed to inspire musical dreams) for over 4000 beneficiaries in Scotland. Our high quality customized music programmes have been developed in special collaborations with arts, health, education and social care organisations in tune with the needs and into the heart of the community.
ManagementA voluntary Board of Trustees governs, who meets officially four times a year in Glasgow’s City Chambers. Musical Dreams are orchestrated by Linda Ann McConnell. Music Tutors are qualified professionals with disclosures. The charity is supported by Trust funds and grants. To save funds it doesn’t have an office or administrative support.
AccreditationsThe Trust received Her Majesty the Queen’s ‘Golden Jubilee Award for Voluntary Service,’ the MBE for charities in 2013. The official press release here. The founder was given the ‘Award for Voluntary Services to the Community’, a finalist for the Herald Society ‘Unsung Hero Award’ 2012/14 and won the Evening Times West & Central Community Champion Individual Award for 15 years voluntary service.
BenefactorsThe Charitable Trust expresses gratitude to our partners, funders and friends both past and present. Supporters have included: Status Quo, Brian May, Westlife, Ronan Keating, The Wanted, Blue and Marti Pellow. Funders have included: Youth Start, Hugh Fraser Foundation, Awards for All, Tesco, Youth Philanthropy Initiative, Santander Foundation, JTH Trust, Evening Times, Community Planning Partnership, and The Pavilion Theatre. Our partners have included: Radio Lollipop, Yorkhill Children’s Charity and The Beatson Cancer Charity.
How can you help make a ‘Musical Dream’ come true?* We accept dream referrals from parents, carers, teachers, medical professionals etc.
* To nominate: Apply online or send a SAE to the charity address.
* The nominee should not be notified of the dream application.
* The application is reviewed by the Musical Dream Granting Board.
* Granting a musical dreams is subject to the request, available funding and meeting the S.D.T. Dream Granting Policy.
Information LeafletPlease view The Symphony of Dreams Charitable Trust Information Leaflet.
Application FormPlease view The Symphony of Dreams Charitable Trust Application Form.
To nominate apply online or send a stamped addressed envelope to the Charitable Trust address.
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“Songs and music aid relaxation, reduce anxiety and brings joy to dying patients.”
Prince and Princess of Wales Hospice.
“Together, we have brought smiles to the faces of many children who have seen their musical heroes perform in the hospital.”
Abigail Stein, Programme Manager, Yorkhill Children's Charity.
“The Dreamer musical play showed the realization that you can achieve things you never thought possible. The children learned valuable lessons, and will live in their memories forever.”
C. McKinley, Head Teacher, Garscadden Primary.
“’Symphony of Dreams’ have been an incredible asset to our young people. We have had the pleasure of music workshops in our unit, along with individual music tuition. Our young people have loved the collaborative process and the opportunity to be creative. Thank you!”
Lisa Eaglesham, Youth Support Co-ordinator, Teenage Cancer Trust.
“Our partnership with Symphony of Dreams has had a positive effect on very many patients, families and friends here in the Beatson Cancer Charity Wellbeing Centre. Patients have been wonderfully entertained, uplifted, and for a while are able to forget that they are in a hospital.”
Rhona Scally, Beatson Cancer Charity.
“Music comes from the soul and this showed me how, it’s the best.”
Katelyne (aged 10).
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