National Trust

Elgar Birthplace Museum

Between 2019-21 Ruth Hopkins has been Lead Artist at The Firs (Elgar Birthplace Museum), developing a music and wellbeing outreach project funded by the Elgar Society, focused on the music of Elgar, his story of genius and the landscape that inspired him.

She has devised and facilitated a range of interactive music workshops and performances with our percussionist Tymek Jozwiak, choreographer Darren Royston and Pianist Ruth Minton. The project has reached participants from a wide range of settings including: a SEND school, care home, refugee choir, children in care, the probation service, primary school, specialist secondary music school, church choir, music conservatoire and theatre school.

The project culminated in training property staff and volunteers in devising music activities to deliver at The Firs property through their outreach programme.