Acclaimed music therapist and author, Julia Hollander, returned to Marlborough to entertain local residents at The Jubilee Centre, as part of Marlborough LitFest’s continuing outreach programme. Hollander engaged the community centre members in singing some old-time favourite songs from “She’ll be coming round the mountain“ to “My darling Clementine.”
As a singing therapist, teacher and performer, Julia Hollander is well placed to consider the importance of singing to our health and well-being. In her latest book Why We Sing, she draws on personal anecdotes and science to celebrate the way song inspires and heals us, from the cradle to the grave. Society, she argues, is finally waking up to the joys of singing and its power to give hope and connection in a fragmented world.
Hollander appeared at Marlborough LitFest in September 2024 to talk about her book as well as visiting The Jubilee Centre for a sing-along. The event was such a success that Marlborough LitFest was delighted to organise a return trip for Julia and her guitar to the Jubilee Centre, proving that the festival is more than just a weekend full of wonderful events. It’s also an opportunity to share the joy and benefit of reading – and in this case singing – with as many people in and around Marlborough as we possibly can. This includes those, young and old, who can’t attend the festival weekend.
Mary-Vere Parr, chair of LitFest, says: “Thanks so much to Julia for making a return visit to Marlborough and to Val Mapstone and the Jubilee Centre team for making us all so welcome. On a freezing, foggy morning, even the most reluctant singer was warmed by Julia’s gentle and inclusive style and lots of cups of tea. We are so grateful to LitFest’s sponsors, Friends and donors who make this kind of event possible.”
The Jubilee Centre is a community centre for the over 60s who live in Marlborough and the surrounding area, providing tea and coffee, entertainment and a three-course meal. Volunteers assist members to access local amenities in Marlborough; the centre is keen to welcome any new volunteers.
Returning for its 16th year from 25-28 September, Marlborough LitFest is excited to announce the award-winning novelist, Alan Hollinghurst, as its 2025 Golding Speaker. This year’s festival will feature a varied programme of events for all ages including fiction, non-fiction, poetry and the annual Big Town Read. The festival aims to champion new, upcoming writers as well as established names and also encourage a love of reading in children and young people with author talks, competitions and our ongoing community outreach programme. Further confirmed authors and events will be released over the coming months.
The full LitFest programme will be available in the summer. For more information click here.
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