More than 2500 years ago, Confucius said “Music produces a kind of pleasure which human nature cannot do without.” This remains true, and LITA continues to run our Bridging Thru Music program (BTM) to bring pleasure and connection to residents of long-term facilities, and to our volunteer performers too.
Rob Thomure, LITA’s Bridging Thru Music Coordinator since 2018, arranges interactive and informal musical events at long term care facilities. Rob is an accomplished musician himself, with many years of experience as an audio director, sound designer and composer. He is now using his skills and deep compassion to touch the lives of residents who some have considered unreachable.
The impact of music on residents is well documented, including residents with symptoms of dementia. According to MusicAndMemory.org, “Music activates regions of the brain spared by Alzheimer’s. An April 2018 study published in The Journal of Prevention of Alzheimer’s Disease, reports that ‘objective evidence from brain imaging shows personally meaningful music is an alternative route for communicating with patients who have Alzheimer’s disease.’
Hearing music from earlier years can bring forth memories enabling them to feel connected to their past while also being present with the musicians and other audience members. This is particularly the case when the residents are sitting with the musicians and participating in the session at several levels.
The success of reaching the residents is attributable to the effort the team has made to make sure all of the attendees participate up to their comfort level. Ukulele lessons are a regular group activity arranged by Bridging Thru Music, through a generous gift of 11 ukuleles from the Kala Brand, maker of ukuleles. Residents enjoy learning simple chords or, if their dexterity makes that challenging, strumming along with the group. Once Rob realized that the strumming action was sometimes too difficult, he added percussion instruments such as tambourines and drums. That said, Rob speaks of a 103-year-old pupil who was one of the more engaged participants in class!
The volunteer musicians that lend their talents to the program are diverse and wonderful. Rob describes them as amateurs, semi-professionals and pros, as young as middle school and including at least one octogenarian folk singer. The musicians find the program very rewarding as they get immediate feedback from a friendly and appreciative audience. For younger performers honing their skills and building confidence, these musical events are a wonderful practice venue.
One such performer, high school sophomore Natalia Betzler, said,
“The most rewarding part about participating in Bridging Thru Music is the impact that it has on the residents -- seeing them react when they hear and remember some of their favorite songs is amazing.”
After performances, it is not uncommon for staff at the care facilities to comment that they have seen almost motionless residents begin to tap their fingers, nod their heads, and open their eyes.
LITA’s Bridging Thru Music is always looking for musicians and singers to help spread the joy of music by performing for audiences in Marin’s long-term care facilities. It’s a great opportunity to share your talents, interact with older adults, and have some fun. All support and coordination is provided. If you are interested, contact Rob!
