Public Sector's Local Heroes

Apr 27 2008

CAROL MAIN works with some of Scotland's most talented young musicians as part of a charity programme that brings live music to disadvantaged people.

LIVE Music Now was founded by legendary violinist Yehudi Menuhin in 1977 after he experienced the benefits live music brought to people suffering from illness or disability.

Its main aims are to take high-quality music to people who would not normally get a chance to experience it and give young musicians a chance to perform.

The scheme gives professional musicians aged under 27 the chance to hone their skills in front of a live audience.

Previous Live Music Now contributors have included multiple award-winning traditional musician Mary Ann Kennedy and world-renowned Scots soprano Lisa Milne.

Carol, 49, from Edinburgh, first heard of the charity in 1984 while running the National Association of Youth Orchestras.

She started devoting one day a week to the charity but went full time in 2003. Since then it has gone from staging just a handful of concerts to more than 400 a year and now has more than 60 musicians on its books. Carol said: "Live Music Now is a win-win situation for everyone involved.

"For the audience it is therapeutic, educational and great fun. For the musicians, usually just out of college, that kind of experience is hard to come by."

Concerts are staged at venues from old people's homes to schools and community centres. Audiences can be children with learning disabilities or adults with physical disabilities and illness.

LMN selects its musicians from a wide range of cultures. Auditions are held every year and musicians need to commit for a minimum of two years.

Carol said: "There is a big emphasis on audience participation so we often have clapping, dancing and singing. It is about helping people express themselves and is incredibly rewarding work."

'It's helping people express themselves'

For more facts, visit ww.livemusicnow.org