A musical gathering brought back some fond memories for a group of older adults recently with tunes like “Fly Me to the Moon,” “Blue Moon,” “Moon River” and the “Light of the Silvery Moon.”
Melissa Howard, who leads the monthly music therapy event at the Stickney Township Louis S. Viverito Senior Center, started with a brief meditation session to help everyone relax.
Then she said it was time for the moon and sun theme in songs because the crew of Artemis II had recently returned to Earth.
The six participants were invited to use instruments, including “shakes,” tambourines and hand drums. Howard sang the songs and played the guitar, later demonstrating singing bowls and a monochord instrument.
“Can anyone name someone who sang this song,” Howard, a licensed music therapist, asked about “Blue Moon.” “I think Frank (Sinatra) might have sung a version of it.”
When Howard asked who sang “Moon River,” the audience realized it was Audrey Hepburn from “Breakfast at Tiffany’s.”
“It would be something if we could get the younger generation to listen to something like this,” said Barb Lis, who leads coloring and other classes and is on the advisory board for the center. “These are the movies you watch over and over again, not the movies from today.”
She and the others agreed they liked many musicians and songs, though could do without rap.
“They don’t even make words any more, they make sounds,” said Flo Sutton. “A lot of the rappers, they just say a lot of garbage.”
Each person also had a chance to talk about their own experiences with music and several had sung in choirs.
Chris Kilstrom, who loves singing, said she was at a fish fry at St. Albert the Great Church in Burbank when she had a chance to sing to Cardinal Blase Cupich and a pastor at the St. Albert’s. She belongs to Beverly Covenant Church.
“I took their hands and sang, ‘May the Lord Bless you and Keep you,’” she said. “Their hands got tighter and tighter.”
Howard, who is also a licensed counselor, said loneliness could be a real issue for older adults and one she hoped to alleviate.
“We live in a time where we are more and more connected to information and less to each other,” said Howard. “Music can help us build those connections … we can do that through music discussion and instrument play.”
Even someone unable to communicate verbally could benefit, she said.
“Being able to sing music with their peers … they can sing along,” she explained.
But she said she leaves it to the audience to decide how much they want to participate, simply giving them the tools and personal attention that could help.
“I really believe in a person-centered approach,” said Howard. “Music can be tailored toward specific needs.
“We want to make everyone feel welcome,” she said.
Those are some of the reasons that Kelly LiVigni, social services program manager, wants people to know about in an effort to keep the music event going.
“It helps bring back some older memories, improve their moods,” said LiVigni. “They can participate at their level, it’s just to come and meet new people and do something different.
“I like the idea of generating more music here at the senior center,” said LiVigni.
Stickney Township Supervisor Diane M. Viverito said she was excited this important art form was at the center.
“Just art itself, it’s a really shared experience,” Viverito said. “It’s a different creative way to share time with people with something that’s more joyful.”
Flo Sutton, who tries to make it to the session monthly, said she originally started because her son is autistic and she was looking for ways music might help.
“I wanted to find ways to help him relax,” said Sutton. “It kind of calms me down, too.”
But Sutton, like the others, said Howard’s empathetic manner was a big perk.
“She’s open to hearing what we have to say,” said Sutton. “Sometimes we just vent and she listens.”
Janice Neumann is a freelance reporter for the Daily Southtown.
