Giving Connection

Music for Seniors

This nonprofit has not yet verified the listed information.

Volunteer

161 Rains Ave, Nashville, TN 37203, USA

EIN Number: 35-2438992

contact information

Phone: (615) 330-1937

Hours: Closed

Mon - Fri 9:00 AM - 6:00 PM (EST)

Sat Closed

Sun Closed

Website: https://musicforseniors.org/

Email: connect@musicforseniors.org

NTEE Code: P81: Senior Centers

MISSION - WHAT WE DO

COMMUNITY OUTREACH Music for Seniors (MFS) fosters connections between individuals of all ages: music is our vehicle. We accomplish our mission through: 1) Outreach delivered directly to senior groups in recreational and care settings at community and residential locations; 2) public monthly Concerts performed at accessible venues across our service area; and Live Performance Learning Labs which are series of group lessons in instrument performance, now offering ukulele, harmonica and percussion. We enlist over 200 local musicians to assist us in achieving our mission, which we accomplish through the three distinct programs plus an intergenerational initiative detailed below. We offer all musicians a per-program stipend or honorarium for their participation as MFS’ Outreach program facilitators, Concert performers or Learning Lab teaching artists. Compensating musicians for their participation supports the arts ecosystem and helps to ensure that our mission is achieved through offering outstanding programs. LIVE PERFORMANCE LEARNING LABS In 2017 we launched the MFS Live Performance Learning Labs (LL) - series of inter-generational group music classes offered at locations throughout our service area. Qualified teaching artists lead Learning Labs in Ukulele, Percussive Arts and Harmonica performance. In 2018, we expanded this program to include a dance LL, offering “Folk Dance to Live Music,” teaching traditional Eastern European folk dances. In 2019 we welcomed Osher Lifelong Learning Institute at Vanderbilt University as our LL partner. LLs are multi-week series of sessions featuring 1 to 1.5 hours of active hands-on learning, with each session building upon what was learned in the prior sessions. Instruments are loaned or gifted (if harmonicas) to participants and all materials are provided free of charge. Our inter-generational approach is designed to accommodate those seniors who may rely on a younger individual to provide transportation or special caregiving needs. A granddaughter, son, care partner or driver, for instance, is encouraged to stay and participate alongside their senior companion. FREE DAYTIME CONCERT SERIES Music for Seniors produces a public FREE Daytime Concert Series for area seniors, their care partners, families and friends. We enlist the help of area arts partners and other organizations, who offer venues and, sometimes, performing artists. By offering these one-hour monthly concerts March through December at a variety of venues across our service area, almost everyone has a concert “in their neighborhood” at least once during our season. Due to traditionally late performance times of most concerts, driving at night and other possible obstacles outlined in the “Programs” introduction above, our concerts are always free to the public and always occurs during a weekday. Senior centers, residence communities and groups often travel on vans or buses to attend, and independent older adults drive themselves to concerts strategically scheduled to conclude just before or to begin just after lunch. Many of our regular attendees combine a lunch outing with the concert, providing a fun, active, arts-filled day. The concerts feature local artists of renown including soloists, ensembles and choral groups performing a wide range of musical genres - from classical to bluegrass, R&B to swing, and everything in-between! Music for Seniors connects area musicians with older adults through live and interactive music programs designed to engage, entertain and educate seniors - promoting health and wellbeing, reducing isolation and enriching the lives of all participants, musicians and seniors alike. We believe that arts organizations are obligated to provide vibrant, affordable and accessible programming for all of us, including to meet the special needs of older adults. Our mission mandates this.

SERVICES - HOW WE DO IT

"Music Connecting Generations" initiative MFS believes there is great value in learning through intergenerational activities. We seek to include youth and student participants in all aspects of our Outreach, Concert and Learning Labs programming – including youth participants as performers, audience members and students. This initiative ultimately raises awareness and provides enrichment for both generations: youth may better understand older adults, their unique needs and the value they still offer to society; seniors may be energized by the vitality and exuberance of youth. Youth Concert performers may include soloists, bands, orchestras and choirs composed of individuals under the age of 18. These performances are always followed by short informal “meet and greet” sessions. Providing this unique interactive opportunity proves beneficial for both the youth and the seniors: student musicians have expanded opportunities for performing, community service, and social engagement with older adults in their own community; and senior audience members – many of whom may have limited opportunities to connect with young people – are offered these occasions for revitalizing and enriching experiences. Virtual Programs COVID-19 has halted our live and in-person programs. In response, we now offer free weekly Virtual Outreach Programs and Learning Labs: each Monday there is a unique music program for singing along; each Friday, a new Learning Lab session. Our MPs and Teaching Artists record from home. MFS’ promotes them on social media, Eventbrite and e-blasts, with access to a YouTube link for each program. The unprecedented circumstances of the pandemic has raised our awareness acutely. Seniors unable to leave their homes or care communities experience this level of social isolation 24/7. So we have resolved to continue virtual programs extending beyond COVID-19 by videoing MFS’ monthly live Concerts and posting them – taking what we have learned from this experience to expand access indefinitely into the future.