Don't forget to get the nurses, and family (esp kids) involved too. The residents feed off their energy and if you vary the program to include a little of everything ... it's go over well, most times!

Getting the staff and visitors involved is of paramount importance. At several locations I would have one of the young staff ladies kick off while I played and sang YMCA, then I had some of them do some high kick (Rocketts) line dance while I played and sang NY - NY. Many of the retirement communities I performed at also had ballroom dancing classes and line dance classes, so it's a goood idea to brush up on those tunes as well. Most of all, be an entertainer - good entertainers are hard to come by, while good musicians are a dime a dozen in my part of the world.

Good luck,

Gary

The first time jobs for a group of seniors in NH or condos.

I need to connect with the new group of seniors. I give them a written sheet with:

1-A brief story about me and my music.
2-A few words that are warm and inviting.
3-I ask them to share/write on the sheet I handed out what their favorite type of music. Then add three of their favorite songs.

I bring the sheet to each table, and introduce myself just before starting to play.

I will always ask how the volume is. There have been times that a table was placed right in front of the band stand. I would go to the table pull up a chair and share the problem. Their answer was always the same, ‘Awe, don’t worry”.

Simply said; you and the people are 50% of the job – Your performance is the other 50%.

John C.