Another Reason to Give Thanks
From classical soloists to ukulele virtuosos, from Celtic harpists to Elvis impersonators, live entertainers have always been an integral part of Community Life on our Health Care neighborhoods. However, since March of 2020, we haven’t been permitted to bring live entertainment from “the outside” to our Health Care environment. Fortunately, our residents have been blessed with several team members willing to share their musical gifts on a frequent basis. We recently sat down with three such talents and asked them how they feel about performing for residents as part of their regular duties.
“I love playing the piano for my residents on Sun Valley,” says Community Life Leader Trenton Greenawalt. When a resident is anxious, Trenton will take them to the piano in Peace Lounge, located in a quiet alcove that offers a beautiful, peaceful place to relax. “The residents often enjoy looking out the window while I play for them,” shares Trenton. He plays music that is fitting for the moment, matching the emotion at that time. “Music tends to reach people in ways that many other things cannot; it soothes the soul. There is no pressure or requirement for the resident to respond or really do anything but relax and listen.” Residents feel more engaged and a part of the experience when the entertainer is in the same room. “I’m thankful for the opportunities I have to play for residents and enjoy it as well. It’s fulfilling to know they are enjoying what I play.”
Community Life Leader Mackenzie Decker occasionally plays the violin for residents during her one-on-one visits. She favors hymns and classic country songs. Mackenzie notes, “I’m a big music lover and love to share music with others, because it can speak to everyone!” When Mackenzie plays her violin, she quickly notices a smile on the resident’s face. “I feel it is important for residents to listen to music, because it can help soothe them or bring them back to another time in their life,” she said.
Community Life Specialist Karla Armstrong has been playing the autoharp for over 20 years and shares her talent with residents. “I play hymns and gospel music. I present them more as sing-alongs rather than recitals,” she says. “I aim for participation! Folks seem to know and love these kinds of songs, (as do I, of course!) and it has a way of getting us all involved.” She has discovered that music, and especially gospel music, is a powerful thing; it has the power to lift the soul, to remind us of things we easily forget, and to infuse hope.
During these unusual times, we have also been blessed with virtual entertainers who volunteered their time via Zoom. However, there is nothing quite like the connection between human hearts in the same room, genuinely enjoying the connection they are making together. Although the pandemic has limited our ability to bring in musicians from outside our walls, our talented team continues to share their gifts with our residents. “I am so joyful that our residents can continue to experience the heart and soul that goes into a live performance,” says Director Community Life Mary Van Buren.