Since March, Music for Seniors has pivoted our Outreach and Learning Labs to virtual programming. With restrictions lifted in June, we resumed live onsite programs, first via socially-distanced Courtyard Concerts. In October we will resume facilitating indoor onsite live programs, with our Musician Partners (MPs) continuing to follow strict distancing and mask-wearing guidelines and adhering to each location’s health safety mandates.
To date: 27 Virtual Outreach Programs (VOPs) delivered – 5,500 views
Beginning March 23, Music for Seniors has e-delivered a free weekly on-demand* VOP every Monday, which we will continue into the indefinite future. Each week we offer a unique new program curated to appeal to older adults and to enlist the viewers to participate actively in the experience. VOPs spotlight our MPs’ extensive collective talent and diversity. They perform a wide range of songs and genres and connect warmly with viewers through encouraging singing and clapping along, and sharing stories and anecdotes. By featuring young performers we also continue advancing our Music Connecting Generations initiative. Weekly e-mails provide access to new and to all prior programs, so that even new subscribers can access the entire VOP playlist.
To date: 2 Virtual Learning Lab Series: Ukulele and Guitar – 71 Participants/approx. 250 session views
In the spring, we offered a 4-session on-demand Intermediate Ukulele Learning Lab (LL) series conducted over 4 weeks and led by Teaching Artist, Todd Elgin. Currently, we are offering an Advanced Beginning Guitar LL which is also a 4-session on-demand series conducted over 4 weeks – this one led by Teaching Artist, Matthew Kelso. We anticipate offering a variety of additional virtual LLs into the indefinite future.
To date: 64 Courtyard Concerts delivered – 1,050 participants
Courtyard Concerts (CCs) are one-hour programs of live music delivered by MPs in an outdoor setting (e.g., a patio, yard area or interior courtyard) where seniors and the MP program facilitator can connect at a safe distance. Currently 11 CCs are scheduled for October, with additional fall CCs anticipated as weather permits.
New Music Fun September saw the launch of our Music Activity blog section on our website homepage with “Name That Tune,” a musical Bingo game. Everything required for participating in the activity is provided free on the website. (The first activity, for instance, includes easily-accessible links to hit recordings of the featured songs and downloadable materials.) Every few weeks we will feature a new activity to enhance and expand online options for families, Activity Directors and individuals to enjoy readily-available music-related activities.
Beginning in October: Live online OneClick.chat programs for “Social October” and “Social November”
With OneClick.chat we’re offering weekly opportunities to connect via live, shared interactive music experiences in real time. Sing-alongs and play-alongs, facilitated by our Musician Partners and staff every Friday at 3:00CST in October and November. Email [email protected] to join the fun -free!
* On-demand programs are now available to anyone, for viewing any time, as often as desired and at no cost. All programs (residing on the Music for Seniors YouTube Channel) are made available to subscribers via e-delivery of a unique link for each. VOP participants subscribe at our webite, www.musicforseniors.org. Learning Lab participants sign up to receive sessions via a unique public Eventbrite posting for each LL series.