A Music Teacher With Dementia Defies All Odds to Conduct an Orchestra at Age 81: ‘It Made Me Feel Alive’

Music is a beautiful thing, and very few things can compare. The careful arrangement of notes and lyrics can make or break your day depending on what you are listening to. Some studies have even shown that playing your favorite track can boost your mood immensely.

Despite endless studies done on it, music remains a mystery. It’s hard to explain how someone can lose most of his memories but still manage to hum his favorite tune. In some cases, people struggling with memory loss and other significant conditions have managed to carry on with their music careers despite what they were going through.

When Paul Harvey was diagnosed with dementia, things were not looking good. Like everyone else in his shoes, he was expected to prepare for the inevitable decline in his mental faculties. At first, Paul moved to sheltered accommodation for safety purposes to enable him a smooth transition.

As a music teacher, Paul had the resources and ability to compose his music. Sadly, all these years had passed, and his work might not have gotten the attention it deserved. When his diagnosis came, all hope was lost, and Paul’s dream was now less plausible.

One day, Paul was going about his daily routine with his son Nick around when the lad noticed something interesting. Despite suffering from an incredibly frustrating illness, Paul was still actively making music.

After his dad finished showcasing his talents, Nick went online and posted the video. Shortly after it went up, the clip got a lot of views. Everyone who watched it was impressed not only by Paul’s skill alone but also by the story behind it all.

Nick’s upload resonated with so many people online that news outlets picked up the story. That’s how his father was invited to showcase his talent on live TV. The performance was broadcasted from Paul’s home, and many more people grew to love the old man.

A year after his moment, the BBC orchestra called on Paul to conduct two of his compositions at the iconic studio in Salford. Paul Harvey dreamt of getting this opportunity all these years, and here he was. The diagnosis was a blessing in disguise, after all.

Mr. Harvey beat the odds and conducted two of his best picks perfectly. One of the compositions is aptly named Where’s the Sunshine, and we believe the rays were shining bright in this man’s path. It was a big moment for him, but there was more.

The orchestra recorded the performance and released it as a single so fans of Paul could listen and enjoy his work. Interestingly, despite all the profit they were set to gain from this single, no one took a cent. Instead, all the proceeds went to the Alzheimer’s Society and Music for Dementia.

In his post online, Nick was clear that his father’s skill always took his breath away. Likewise, Paul’s improvisation and composition on the fly have always inspired his son. So that day, Nick gave his father four notes to start, and the man took things to the next level 

The orchestral performance was a significant milestone for Paul Harvey, and he didn’t hide his delight. He was grateful for the opportunity but even more glad he finally got to experience his dream.

So, where did Paul get his skills from? Mr. Harvey has been around music all his life. The elderly gentleman studied piano at the prestigious Guildhall School of Music, where he honed his skills, becoming an expert pianist and composer.

After finishing his studies, Paul taught at the Imberhorne school, where he maintained his position for over two decades. This decision was, however, made shortly before Nick was born. Music is a challenging career, and it only gets more complicated once a kid is on the way.

As for Nick, he was happy to see his dad brighten up. Since the video went viral and interest in Paul’s work started increasing, the sound man has been in high spirits. It was such a massive paradigm shift that Nick and his brothers couldn’t help but beam with joy.

As for the fans, they proved their mettle when Paul’s single came out. Nick kept them as updated as possible on his socials, and sooner than later, he had some good news. The single was at the top of the charts!

According to Nick, his dad’s short-term memory is quite problematic, but some events are seared into his mind whenever something significant happens. This experience is probably one of those moments, and we wonder if it will get lost in the haze like everything else.

After this experience with his father, Nick has only positive things to say about music. He believes in its power and insists you don’t need to be a talented musician to enjoy it. Instead, music can trigger various memories and moments in ways you cannot explain, bringing us closer.

When Harvey Sr. took his place at the piano, his mood changed, and he became his old self again. This naturally warmed Nick’s heart, and he was happy to see his father in his good graces. That is why he decided to take the video and upload it for the world to see.

Once Paul got his groove back, he became unstoppable. Nick claims his father has played the piano more in this period than he has in the past eight years. All Paul needed was a sign to keep him grounded.

Recently, more people have started using music to help dementia patients, and the results prove worthwhile. The correlation between music and such ailments is more robust than we ever thought. They say music speaks to the soul, and this might be the proof needed to cement that statement.

We agree that only some are musical maestros like Paul, so how do you develop a way to include music in their routine? Again, it’s straightforward, and you don’t need to overthink things.

If you are dealing with someone well versed in the craft, giving them a chance to test out their rusty skills might help. In Mr. Harvey’s case, playing the piano was a huge step for the man.

On the other hand, technology has come a long way, and we have more access than ever. If your internet connection is favorable, you can find old clips of your patient’s favorite artists and play them. Sometimes, live streaming a concert can bring back some good memories.

It is evident there are many ways to bring music to the fold. However, as much as this approach has worked wonders for some, it is not a guarantee that it will always work. Dementia has no cure, so the results may vary significantly.

Additionally, you must be careful because some songs might trigger your patient’s bad memories and emotions. Therefore, we recommend taking it slow and steady as you monitor the progress. Hopefully, you’ll land in the perfect groove soon.

On the flip side, a small percentage of people loathe music. This might sound like a myth, but this bunch is more common than you think. Strangely, it is not genre specific, as they don’t like listening to music.

As you can see, there are many ways to use music to your advantage. If it works, the results are magical and heartwarming. Nevertheless, we insist you don’t force it down people’s throats. Sometimes, things take time, or they don’t work at all.

The best thing about music in all of this is that it’s free and readily available. You don’t need to keep stocking up or getting prescriptions. Instead, you can go online and get any song you want without any questions.

Paul’s story is a fantastic journey that makes us want to put our best foot forward and keep grinding because no one knows when their breakthrough is coming. Moreover, it is an excellent example of how healthy bonds between fathers and sons work.