Vol. 2 🎹
Notes from the Founder
We are excited about the goings-on here at Senior Music Connection! Thank you for being here to share and celebrate.
In August, we hosted a successful introductory cardio drumming class at the Troy Robinson branch YMCA. As a part of their silver sneakers program, twenty-five senior citizens from the community joined in! We love working out in such a musical and holistic way. We seek to grow this program into the community and take it to many of our facilities to boost energy, spread positivity, and bring the fun!
On August 30, we attended the Seniors and Caregivers Expo that took place at the beautiful Dayton Art Institute. We were one among a multitude of booths informing seniors about helpful resources at their disposal. Seniors enjoyed dancing, raffle prizes, entertainment, and refreshments as they learned about topics such as home health, senior housing, medicare and medicaid, long term planning, and more. We are thrilled to be a part of this growing network and contribute to the well-being of our seniors.
There is nothing that makes us happier than bringing people together through music. Let’s keep working together to promote health, resources, and build community!
Best, Krissy O’Malley
Musician Spotlight
It’s time to highlight one of our partner musicians! This month, we’re celebrating Bobby Tee (Robert Tarasiak), a professional Guitarist, vocalist + songwriter of more than 30 years.
Bobby was born and raised in Worcester, MA. He began his musical journey by learning various instruments from age 12, and at 14, he picked up a guitar.
The United States Air Force retiree is the founder and producer of Lazy Dog Records and the former EuroConnect Recording Studios. Tee toured in Europe in the late ’80s and early ’90s, performing live with various groups. His band, Bobby Tee & Company, opened for Motorhead, and Alvin Lee of Ten Years After. His latest release with Bobby Tee & Company, “Revisited” is out on CD.
Most recently, Tee has spent 4 years touring in Mexico. During his tour there, he raised funds and food supplies for locals as a part of live jamborees for the Blues Against Hunger Society Festivals. Currently, he focuses on providing Christian ministry in the Dayton, Ohio area, using music to give a voice to various causes.
Join us in welcoming Bobby Tee to the Senior Music Connection team!
Grace Notes
A grace note, in musical terms, is a note that is an embellishment to a primary note. When we think of the word grace in non-musical terms, it can refer to goodwill or undeserved favor.
In our work, we see and experience so many wonderful grace-filled embellishments.
We feel they deserve their own special place on the page.
This month, through grace, we found ourselves expanding outside the Miami Valley. After hearing about our program through a sister facility in the Dayton area, a senior living facility east of Cincinnati called to inquire about scheduling interactive music programs. For this to be feasible, we needed to come up with a plan to best utilize time and resources.
The very next day we received an unsolicited call from a senior living community in Middletown asking us to provide interactive music sessions to their memory care residents. Both facilities were able to schedule us on the same day, we were able to make some adjustments, and on September 1st, we headed South!
And, thanks to connections made at the Resident Activity Professionals Conference [RAP] this past month, we will soon be expanding to the Millersburg, Ohio area — through grace!
“I was SO happy to be introduced to Krissy from Senior Music Connection! She is so knowledgeable, and you can see the passion she has for this work watching her! The residents love having Senior Music Connection… It’s one of their favorite things on the Activity Calendar!!” – Mindy
Replay
Porchfest 2023
We were caught in action at Troy-Hayner Cultural Center on 9/9! We had so much fun with everyone who came out to Porchfest this year — those who joined our drum circle,
those who watched and listened, and those who dedicated their time and energy to making an event like this happen. Big thank you to H&R Block for sponsoring our booth.
Catch us on December 3 at the Holiday Open House at Troy Hayner in collaboration with Troy Senior Citizens Center + other senior citizens as we ring in sounds of the seasons with handchimes!
National Assisted Living Week @ Brookdale, Piqua
We brought the 50s to Brookdale on 9/15 with a classic Sock Hop, and invited residents to take off their shoes and go for the dance! One of our joys is seeing residents “hop” out of their comfort zone and join us in song. It’s truly a magical thing!
National Assisted Living Week @ Brookdale, Piqua
On 9/22, we booked partner musician, Carol Palmer, at to continue the celebration of National Assisted Living Week! With “The Hawaiian” in stand, Carol danced her fingers around each piano key, playing solely Hawaiian songs all day long for each resident to enjoy!
August + September Measures
Since August 1, we have provided 58 total programs across 23 different Senior Facilities, including:
- 42 interactive music sessions
- 10 partner musician bookings
- 6 special events
Our online presence is advancing! Here are the numbers:
- 296 social media subscribers
A Little Pitchy
The weather is getting colder… Already? Yes! We are ready for fall and winter because….they’re here! We have some great seasonal entertainment scheduled for area senior living facilities and opportunities for more!
One of our goals is to match local musicians seeking gigs with activity directors who are searching for musicians. That connection is crucial to bring the best talent and most appropriate music to our seniors. It is our privilege to make those introductions.
And, we love to get an early start! We put a call out for Oktoberfest musicians this summer, started booking Christmas concerts at the end of the season last year, and are already booking performers for Saint Patrick’s day! Pre-planning is a great idea because it ensures the performers’ availability and allows activity directors the time to plan and budget. It’s a win-win!
Who doesn’t love a win-win? We love successes and being a part of bringing the joy of music to our seniors.
Danke schon, happy holidays, and wishing you the luck of the Irish,
Krissy