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It was great to see so many of you at the Senior Expo last week. Many thanks to all the BASA members who worked so hard to organize this event. Great team work!
Each month I send out an expanded version of my weekly newsletter to a broader audience. It went out Wednesday morning – the day of the Expo. I know how busy I was that morning. I certainly wasn’t reading any newsletters! So…I’m sending it again this week.
Greetings from Singing Heart to Heart!
Yes! A new name and a new logo! Why? My business is expanding and I needed a name that could grow with it. So, Singing Heart to Heart is the new name for my “parent company”. Young at Heart Music becomes the name for my local program which includes my “in person” senior sing alongs, specialized music visits for people with dementia and concerts for young children. Under the Singing Heart to Heart banner will be the Young at Heart Music program as well as all the other aspects of my business including my CDs, E-Books, Keynotes and Training.
I’m working to get the new Singing Heart to Heart website up and running. Rest assured that through the wonders of technology – you will be always be able to reach me using either SingingHeartToHeart.com or YoungAtHeartMusic.com.
 This spring marks the second anniversary of launching my business. Many thanks to so many of you who have invited me to sing with your family members, with the seniors you serve and with your little ones.
Here’s what’s in store with this month’s edition of Notes from the Heart.
Singing heart to heart with you,
Mary Sue
PS. Are you an Activity Director or Manager of a Senior Living Residence? Read on to see how you can receive a download of my entire CD “Songs you Know By Heart” FREE!
PPS. Want to print this out? Go HERE for the Print Friendly version.
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Unplug: 6 Big Reasons to Download Music and Use
Wireless Speakers
A few weeks ago I broke down and bought a wireless speaker to connect tothe music I have on my phone and I Pad. As you know I lead sing alongs in person using my guitar and voice. And I wouldn’t have it any other way. Singing live and in person allows me to truly connect to the people I am with.
However… having easy access to recorded music has opened up a whole new world of music experiences, allowing me to easily add some valuable movement to our in person sessions. One resident at Traverse Manor recently said “I didn’t know we were going to get exercise class too. This is fun!” And she's right. It IS fun!
I am so committed to this that I am offering a free download of my entire CD “Songs you Know By Heart” to any senior living residence activity director or manager that shows me they have purchased a wireless speaker.
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6 Big Reasons to “Go Wireless”
- You can lead a sing along even if you yourself are afraid to sing in front of others. (Note that I didn’t say – even if you can’t sing. Because I think everyone can sing!)
- You can use recorded music to get people moving! For seniors who are chair bound, just add simple arm and leg movements to the beat of the music. For more mobile adults and for young children – add marching, skipping and dancing.
- You can choose from thousands of songs. Enjoy favorites over and over and choose the music based on the mood you want to create.
- You can have a music session even when I’m not there! Teepa Snow recommends having music 20 minutes twice per day for people with dementia. Kids cooped up on a rainy day? How about a dance party!
- It’s cheap! Wireless speakers start at about $30 and go up from there. Downloading songs is inexpensive too. You can download “Songs You Know By Heart” (18 songs for adults) or Ms. Tiyi’s Garden (for children) on my website.
- Wireless speakers are small and portable. You can use them anywhere. You don’t even need a power outlet.
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How to get your free download of “Songs You Know By Heart”
Get in touch with me when you have purchased at least one wireless speaker for your senior residence. Take a picture of yourself or a staff member holding the speaker and email or text it to me along with the name of the senior residence where you work. In return I will give you a free download of my CD. That’s 18 songs that you can use to lead a music session when I’m not there. This offer expires June 12th, 2015.
The fine print: This offer is only good for activity directors or managers of senior living residences. Downloads and CDs are available for purchase on my website.
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You Can Do This!
A Simple Plan for a 15 minute Music and Movement Session for Seniors
Featuring selections from my CD “Songs You Know By Heart”
- Track One: I Got Rhythm (1:49) Use this song to start the session. It’s lively and fun. Simply invite people to sing along!
- Track Two: Let Me Call You Sweetheart (1:41) EVERYONE knows this song. Add a simple side to side wave with your arms to this gentle waltz or simply rock side to side.
- Track Three: Don’t Sit Under the Apple Tree (1:33) This World War 2 song is well known and lively. It lends itself to patting knees and tapping toes. On the second verse it says “Don’t go walking down lover’s lane” so use this verse to add “walking” while seated. And don’t forget to wag your finger when it repeats “NO, NO, NO!”
- Track 6: My Bonnie Lies Over the Ocean (2:43) On the verses use your arms to make waves side to side (like ocean waves). On the chorus when it says “Bring back, bring back…” extend your arms in front of you and then bend them back toward your shoulders. (There is a video of me showing how to do this on my website.)
- Track 13: Take Me Out to the Ball Game (1:31) Batter up! Pretend to bat a ball and see if they can guess what song you are going to sing. Then act out the song using your movements to keep time to the beat. “Swing a bat” for the start of the song and shake a fist for “root, root, root for the home team”. When you get to counting out the strikes hold up 1, then 2, then 3 fingers and exaggerate the thumbs up “umpire’s movement” for “You’re Out!”
- Track 17: You Are My Sunshine (2:36) This is a great song to end with. As you sing along you can add a simple hand/arm movement side to side. Try alternating doing this above your head, or as high as they can reach (as if your hands are the sun in the sky) and then at waist height.
One final hint: You can’t do this wrong! Any movement is good! And if someone in your group starts a new movement don’t hesitate to follow their lead!
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Dear Mary Sue:
“I went to a client’s home today and brought your CD as a gift because I knew they loved listening to music and our client has middle-severe dementia. The husband started to play your music and our client perked up and was actually singing the words. She got up out of her chair and gave her husband a hug – it was a beautiful moment! Thank you so much for all that you do and for sharing one of your beautiful gifts with people.”
Melanie Martell, Comfort Keepers Client Care Coordinator, April 9, 2015
“I wanted to thank you for the music last week. We love coming to sing with you. My 5 year old will drop anything for music with you and my one year old is mesmerized. I just wanted you to know how much you are loved & appreciated." Sarah Gano
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The Complete List of Services and Products
The Young at Heart Music Program
Senior Sing alongs: Let’s sing together! Awaken memories, connect and be happy! Large print songbooks available.
Specialized Music Visits: Dementia/Hospice: A personalized and meaningful music experience, especially appropriate for people living with dementia or a serious health concern.
Music for Special Events and Family Gatherings: Entertainment for groups of all sizes and ages, tailored to your audience for maximum engagement and fun for all.
Music for Little Ones: Action songs and fingerplays to move to, story songs to act out, silly songs to laugh with. Lively and fun, interactive concerts for festivals, special events, and school programs.
Keynote/Training Opportunities
Connecting through Music: Learn about the power of music to awaken memories and bring joy. Evidence based research in a delightful, interactive musical experience. Leave with tools, tips and tunes to share.
Everything’s More Fun with Music: Learn how the simple magic of music engages young learners and enhances early childhood programs. From songs, movement, puppets and fingerplays to evidence based research.
Products
“Songs You Know By Heart”: 18 favorite songs from the Young at Heart Music Program. Classics such as You Are My Sunshine, I Got Rhythm, Don't Sit Under the Apple Tree, My Wild Irish Rose, Let Me Call You Sweetheart and many more. Listen or sing along!
“Ms. Tiyi’s Garden”: Original and traditional songs and stories sure to please young children AND their parents. Action songs to move to, story  songs to act out, silly songs to laugh with and Ms. Tiyi's original story and song with an important message "Sticks and stones may break your bones but words can break your heart." Appropriate for children 10 and under.
“Finding Memories through Music: A Family Interview”: Written in  the style of the popular “Grandma Remembers” books, this family interview will guide you on a walk down memory lane, using music to spur memories and capture family history. Available in hard copy or as an Ebook.
Coming Soon! A companion guide for the CD “Songs You Know By Heart”. This new guide, in an easy to use format, will give you the basics on “WHY” and “HOW” to use music to enhance the quality of everyday life for seniors.
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 Mary Sue Wilkinson is the founder of Singing Heart to HeartTM and the Young at Heart Music Program. She is a career educator and professional musician. And she loves to sing! Her flagship program, Young at Heart Music, is devoted to bringing the joy of music and singing to seniors with decades of life experiences and memories tied to music. Mary Sue is available as a speaker sharing her expertise about the power of music to awaken memories and bring joy. Together with Tiyi Schippers, Mary Sue also provides music experiences for young children and trainingfor early childhood educators.
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