We recognize and value the positive influence that music can have on
people, particularly in the lives of the elderly. Using beauty and joy
as our guides, we offer one-time and subscription concerts at
Independent Living, Assisted Living, Memory Care, and Skilled Nursing
residences, as well as adult day centers. We also offer personalized
one-on-one concerts to those who are homebound, or otherwise unable to
join us at one of our regular events. Concert programs are tailored to
each unique audience.
Music for People Living with Dementia
My name is Jen Anderson, and I am a flute, clarinet, and saxophone
player. As well as being a musician, I am also an experienced
caregiver, and Life Enrichment Manager in a memory care neighborhood.
I have been playing music for people living with dementia since 2016,
and have developed several different programs throughout the years
especially for this population. Each audience is different, each
concert is different, and in memory care, each day is different. I
have developed a repertoire of concert programs designed for people
living with dementia that are not only flexible, but also engage a
variety of senses. I love to include conversation and audience
interactions in my concerts, especially if it evokes a memory or makes
a personal connection for the individuals. Here is a sample of my
programs that you and your residents might enjoy:
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Thankful: a favorite during November, featuring
pieces which evoke memories of things which we all can be thankful
for, such as home, family, and life experiences. Music can represent
a host of emotions, and this program highlights the pleasant
memories of a comforting home, catching up with old friends, being
greeted by a favorite pet, and other heart-warming experiences
paired with music that matches each memory and feeling.
-
Winter: a unique program which engages both visual
and auditory senses. Winter scenes make beautiful photographs, and
evoke childhood memories. In this concert, we pair printed
photographs with the sounds that may accompany them. For example,
snow falling on a quiet street might sound like small, predictable
melodies. A horse-drawn sleigh might be accompanied by a steady,
galloping rhythm.
-
Pieces that Move: music inspired by sports,
exercise, and other movement-related hobbies. Many of our everyday
movements can be done to a beat. Running can be quick, while a
stroll around the lake can be leisurely. Riding a horse gets a bit
bouncy, and a walk around the block with the dog can change pace in
an instant. In Pieces that Move, we explore favorite activities, and
match the motions involved to music.
-
May Flowers:
an audience favorite, combining the beauty of music with the
beauty of flowers. In this program, audience members will discuss
their past experiences with flowers—planting them, giving them to a
loved one, and other flower-related memories. To stimulate the
senses, we will explore the many wonderful characteristics of
flowers (bright, graceful, elegant, sentimental), and pair them with
music! Sunflowers, for example, are cheerful with their bright
yellow petals, and seem to pop up everywhere! This might be paired
with Tambourin by Francois-Joseph Gossec, which features a
bright, bouncy melody. Lilies, on the other hand, are silky and
serious, so a slower, yet highly decorated melody from the Baroque
era would pair well.
-
Around the World: draws on memories of travel,
ancestry, and travel wish-lists. This concert program discusses
different countries, cities, and other destinations around the
world. The audience will enjoy folk songs and dances from different
countries, as well as songs representing the beach, the mountains,
bustling cities, and other sensory-stimulating destinations.
Happy Hour Programs, Suitable for All Levels of Care
In addition to specialized programs, How Sweet the Sound Studios also
offers lunchtime, dinner time, and happy hour performances. Musical
selections include pieces for clarinet, flute, and saxophone from the
vast classical music repertoire. Past programs have included:
