Where Words Fail, Music SpeaksAs we look ahead to the new year, our team has taken time to reflect on our experiences during 2019. We had the opportunity to be a part of almost 600 events where the power of music was evident. Below we have shared some of our favorite memories from performing at retirement centers, accompanying for local schools, and providing music for wedding ceremonies. MUSIC FOR SENIORS"Nathan, [my son], and I were playing at Savannah Grace and there were several of the residents in assisted living present who had pretty significant health challenges. They rolled one elderly lady into the room and she just stared out the window while we played. I suspected she was suffering from dementia, so we just pressed on with our program.
One lady mouthed the words to a Beatles tune while I played, and a couple of folks knew the words to “Can’t Help Falling In Love” that Nathan played on the ukulele. Still, the one lady continued to stare out the window... Nearing the end of the hour, I began to play "Edelweiss," from The Sound of Music. Suddenly, the lady appeared to awaken as she began to sing along...
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GO ABOVE AND BEYOND FOR YOUR SENIORSAuthor: Adelaide Lovelady Editor: Holly Slice Many residential facilities employ Lifestyle or Activity Directors to create a recreation calendar and support comprehensive care. For those who jobs require consistently designing new activities, creativity can be stunted. We hope that these four activities will get your wheels turning! Of course, as advocates of live music we have also included ways to enhance the activity with professional performances ♫
For ideas for types of teas to include, check out this article: 26 Types of Teas and Their Health Benefits. Additionally, Amazon offers affordable tea assortments -- you can purchase 48 different teas for only $12.99. Music: No formal tea party is complete without classical music from a pianist or string trio! Consider this beautiful tea party at the stunning Savoy in London -- the elegance of the piano greatly enhances the event! ♫ Written By: Adelaide Lovelady (Edited By: Holly Slice) Adelaide is a junior at Charleston Southern University where she is majoring in marketing and minoring in theatre. She has performed at multiple local theaters and her dream job is to be an actress in film! While pursuing her acting career, she would also enjoy being a talent agent. With a marketing and theatre background, it would be the best of both worlds! We are excited to have Adelaide interning with Lowcountry Pianist & Company this semester! IS LIVE MUSIC MORE EFFECTIVE THAN RECORDED MUSIC?I recently went to a jazz bar in downtown Charleston, South Carolina. It was hot and humid and the atmosphere smelt of cigarettes, however, the experience transported me to another time. The bass determined the tempo and set my head to nodding. The piano captivated my interest with melodic key runs while the singer touched my soul. I listened to every note they played, expectantly waiting for where the musicians would take me as I soaked in the simple times of the 40’s. Yet driving back home, listening to my playlist in my car, I did not feel the same draw to the music as when I was in the bar. Why was I unable to fully enjoy music in my car as much as I did the live music? What were the fast neurons signaling to my brain during live music?
Music is music, right....? |