Vol. 3 đź””
Notes from the Founder
What are some of your favorite holiday songs? Foods? Traditions? Memories? If we all had the chance to be with each other right now and answer these questions out loud, we would surely find many similarities.
But what’s more is that we would find that our answers would vary in even more ways. In listening and sharing with one another, we could learn new ways of thinking, ponder fresh ideas, and discover interesting things to consider that we hadn’t before.
2023 has been a thrilling time of collaboration and growth for Senior Music Connection. Hundreds of people in the form of volunteers, musicians, supporters, clients, residents, families, and community members have contributed to our mission. Because of our unique perspectives, gifts, and talents, the ways in which the contributions have been made are as varied as the answers to those questions above.
Volunteers have sung in choirs, put music books together, and tackled administrative tasks. Musicians have rehearsed for hours to bring their music to the ears and hearts of listeners. Community members have spread the word and depended on us to provide meaningful moments. Clients have trusted us to share the joy of music with their residents. Family members have shared their words of appreciation and connected with their loved ones through the magic of music.
“Coming together is a beginning. Keeping together is progress. Working together is success.” — Henry Ford. This year was indeed the beginning of our important work, as it marks one full calendar year of us having come together. May we celebrate progress and success as we keep working together into 2024 and into the future.
— Krissy
Musician Spotlight
It’s one of our favorite Newsletter sections — highlighting one of our partner musicians!
This week, we’re not shining the spotlight on just one musician, but an entire group: the Centerville Community Chorus.
We absolutely love partnering with this dedicated group of musicians. Founded in 1995, the group of music lovers longed to create a space for people in the area to come together and share their passion for choral music. Since then, the group has grown from just a few people to 60 community members from all experience levels and backgrounds.
The Centerville Community Chorus believes that music has the power to bring people together, inspire creativity and promote positive change. Their commitment to a safe and inclusive environment serves them well as they provide entertainment from a wide range of genres and locations each year at city functions, assisted living communities, private parties, public performances and more.
This year we are pleased to have booked them for 5 Christmas performances at area senior living facilities. Here are a few recent performances you might have seen them at:
â–Ş 12/16 — “The Wonder of Christmas”: a FREE choir concert @ Epiphany Lutheran Church
â–Ş 12/17 — “The Meaning of Christmas”: a FREE holiday program with the Centerville Community Band @ Carillon Historical Park — click here to watch!
Grace Notes
An unexpected blessing + opportunity came along this past October as we were connected with a family of a resident of a local senior living home, who’s wish was to have a choir sing at their father’s Celebration of Life service.
9 volunteers from our Sing-Along Choir answered the call and gathered together to offer classic hymns, including How Great Thou Art and Amazing Grace.
It was the family’s desire to incorporate cherished hymns during the service, and we were honored to be able to do so.
“It was such a pleasure working with Krissy from Senior Music Connection. She is so devoted to making a good experience for the residents. She did a great job coordinating between me and the Activities Director to make sure I was where I needed to be and had everything I needed to do my job. She really cares about the residents and works hard to connect with everyone.” — Luke
Replay
Frank Sinatra Impersonator @ HarborChase of Beavercreek
No, that’s not the real Frank Sinatra. Although it could have been! We had so much fun booking Cincinnati Sinatra, Matt Snow, at HarborChase of Beavercreek this year. It was definitely something special that each resident enjoyed.
Christmas Caroling @ Various Senior Living Facilities
“The best way to spread Christmas cheer is singing loud for all to hear,” — Buddy the Elf. And that is exactly what we’re doing this season!
We are in the midst of taking our volunteer sing-along choir to various senior living facilities all around the Miami Valley, singing fun classic tunes together like Jingle Bells, Silent Night, Joy to the World and many more.
Special thanks to Day City Hospice, Oasis Senior Solutions and First Light Home Care for sponsoring one of our caroling days! Also, a big shout out to part of the Piqua Arts Council staff for joining us at Brookdale, Piqua (pictured).
Piqua Arts Council's Sounds of the Season
For the second year in a row, we were invited to perform at Piqua Arts Council‘s [PAC] annual Sounds of the Season holiday community concert. Each year, PAC donates all proceeds to a local food bank or shelter,
 and in this case the community was able to support Wilma’s Place: a branch of the The Bethany Center and local men’s shelter.
It was a busy holiday season for the Randall Ringers of Randall Residence of Tipp City, with our performance at St. James Episcopal Church for Sounds of the Season, the Tipp City Senior Center Christmas party, and their very own Christmas party!
Resident Spotlight
Meet Mark from Troy Rehabilitation and Healthcare Center! Mark enjoys playing the drum during our interactive music sessions and presented a special rendition of the little drummer boy this month in celebration of Christmas! It’s citizens like Mark that give us that extra spark of joy and remind us over and over again of our purpose.
A Little Pitchy
Help us celebrate our success and what it means to the community! Nominate Senior Music Connection for Dayton Magazine’s inaugural Best of the Upper Valley, recognizing the success of local businesses all across the Miami Valley.
Be sure to nominate us under the Entertainment category for Live Music! Just enter this info to nominate: Senior Music Connection, krissy@seniormusicconnection.com, 45373. Nominations are allowed once per day and will close on January 7, 2024.
— Krissy
Quarterly Measures
▪ 72 interactive music sessions [⬆ 71.4%]
▪ 26 partner musician bookings [⬆ 62.5%]
▪ 8 special events [⬆ 33.3%]
Our online presence continues to grow! Here are the numbers:
▪ 341 social media subscribers [⬆ 15.2%]
[*compared to last quarter]
Fast Forward!
▪ Cardio Drumming Sessions @ West Milton Senior Center [January 11, 25 + February 8, 22] from 10am to 11am. Admission is $5 per person and materials are provided for the first 10 participants.
â–Ş Once a month, Krissy will be visiting Danbury Senior Living in northeast Ohio [Mansfield/Akron areas] to lead various interactive music sessions.
â–Ş NEW! A 5-week Beginner Music Class taught by our very own Krissy O’Malley at Troy Hayner Cultural Center. Learn basic music theory and play a simple song on an instrument upon completion of the class. Admission is $50 and includes an instruction booklet to keep and instruments to borrow during the sessions. [January 21, 28 + February 4, 11 + 18]