John and Ann Cumming Memorial Lecture

It makes a difference at every stage of life, says Dr Irene Watt – for babies and children, teenagers, adults young and old. It can be used in child development, to build confidence, promote teamwork, help communication, create bonding and friendships, and to help health and mental wellbeing.

A music educator for more than 35 years, she is a research fellow at Aberdeen University’s Elphinstone Institute, and music director of two award-winning choirs and Aberdeen’s Harp Orchestra.

Music, she says, is sometimes seen as a hobby but it is so much more: it is a crucial human developmental aid. “It is a tool for healing, connection, and joy at every stage of life. Music speaks to the mind, body, and soul.”