I have enjoyed a room full of faces light up because a familiar song has been sung. We perform music to residents of all age groups 30 to over 100.
Paula an elderly Polish lady remembers that she can sing and what a voice! With every song she gets up smiling, happy and buzzing with joy. Her daughter also loves the moment too. Paula would have been an opera singer but for the war breaking out just as she was accepted for the music conservatoire in Antwerp, and therefore putting an end to Paula‘s dreams.
I sing ‘We’ll gather lilacs’ and Joan who was sitting quietly suddenly sits up and begins to tell me it is her favourite song and goes on to say that she was from a family of 10 children; her family memories are very much alive once again.
I dance and sing a twenties song and Alice, 97, insists on showing me that she can still manage a high kick from her sitting position which brings much laughter into the room with Alice enjoying the moment.
Phil came to life too and suddenly insisted the staff help him get up; very much to their surprise. He turned his zimmer frame around and began instructing myself and staff members on how to do a good Charleston dance commenting on our feet and ankle work. Remarkable! These are some of my many memorable moments from my recent tour.
Having a volunteer at the concerts really helps everyone and adds to what can be a very memorable occasion indeed for everyone. The volunteer enables a greater participation for all. Our volunteers may dance with the residents and may also sit for a moment with a resident who may just want to share a memory. This additional contact provides am extra dimension to the whole experience. Definitely an experience that I would recommend!
