The proof of the pudding….
….on three fronts over the first weekend! It was a real test for my new
specialist music glasses. I was able to see all areas of the double pages of music easily and at a glance, really necessary when performing in different situations.
I played my violin in the Huddersfield Philharmonic, a fabulous concert, shared with the Huddersfield
Choral Society performing Belshazzar’s Feast. Miraculously I could see all areas of my music clearly
as well as our brilliant conductor Rob Guy.
Next day my glasses were tried and tested as church organist at our whole Parish Service. The
challenge here is that the music is physically considerably higher and further away. Again a great
result.
The afternoon brought an intimate concert at home where playing the piano I accompanied my
talented grandchildren as they all three performed for Grandpa’s birthday surprise.
A great result and such an improvement as I can see all my music immediately now. I would not
hesitate to recommend Allegro Optical to anyone. Their service was so thorough, even playing their
piano in the consultation room and my violin to check complicated distances, positions and heights.
An interesting, friendly and genuine experience. Thank you all.
Now Jane Has An Eye For The Music
Many of us have a passion in life, for some of us it’s mountain biking. For others, it could be painting beautiful watercolours. For others, it’s music and mastering a particular instrument. But imagine that once you have mastered that passion, after years of dedication and patience you find yourself hampered in your endeavours because of failing eyesight.
At Allegro Optical Opticians, we understand this dilemma, we see it almost every day. As a specialist musician’s optician, we regularly have talented performers visit us because they are no longer able to focus clearly on the music on their stand. The first thing to become a problem is the sharps and naturals, the symbols are so similar they become hard to distinguish. Then it’s the accidentals or the key signatures that become an issue.
For many musicians, failing eyesight is a real problem and Jane Collins is no exception. Jane came to Allegro Optical after reading about our specialism with musicians. The single focus spectacles she had been prescribed for her music stand distance meant that she couldn’t see the conductor very well.
A Clear Solution
We dispensed Jane with a pair of spectacles with varifocal lenses and another pair with our bespoke “musician’s” lenses, allowing her to see her music on the stand and the conductor clearly. At Allegro Optical we use a unique dispensing process and algorithm to enable all our musicians to see and play effectively.
Focusing at the many different distances required of musicians can pose real problems. Many musicians suffer from postural problems as a result and this can lead to pain and discomfort.
With a sound understanding of the playing and seating positions and the needs of a musician, these problems can be overcome. The musicians working and playing life can easily be extended due to the improvement that this unique optical solution provides.
Many Musicians experience focusing problems at different distances and they are unaware that there is a solution to the problem. Many Optometrists and Opticians either prescribe and dispense single vision lenses for the music stand distance. Some will dispense varifocals which often exacerbate the problems due to the narrow corridor. There are a plethora of lens solutions available for the sports person, but until now musicians haven’t received the service, support and products they deserve.
Conclusion
This case study has illustrated the variety of dispensing challenges that practitioners may face when a musician presents in practice. The individual needs of the musician are often NOT understood.
About the authors
Jane Collins is a talented Violinist with The Huddersfield Philharmonic Orchestra. The Huddersfield Philharmonic Orchestra perform either in Huddersfield Town Hall, Dewsbury Town Hall or Huddersfield Parish Church. The group bring together a broad mix of players from the surrounding areas who share their talent and love of music.
Allegro Optical Opticians in Meltham are proud supporters and sponsors of The Huddersfield Philharmonic and our staff regularly attend concerts by the orchestra. The Musician’s Optician continues to support Huddersfield Philharmonic Orchestra to enable them to keep growing and performing for the many music lovers in the area.
Allegro Optical, the musicians’ optician is a dispensing led practice with a highly professional team that specialises in the optical correction of musicians, presenters and performers. Managing Director (Optics) and proprietor Sheryl Doe BSc (Hons), FBDO, is a dispensing optician who excels at providing bespoke optical solutions.
