Music for Seniors is a vibrant participant in the creative aging movement. We celebrate every individual’s ability to be active in the arts generally, regardless of their age or physical or cognitive abilities. Specifically, we champion every older adult’s right to have access to and participate in the very best entertaining, engaging and educational live music programming that the musicians in their city, town or community have to offer.

In addition to the sheer joy of it, creative expression and creative learning promote health benefits related to the resulting increase in social engagement that comes from this participation – along with a sense of individual independence and accomplishment. We have witnessed, first-hand, the satisfaction and self-confidence that results from learning to play songs on the ukulele or harmonica. For an older adult in a wheelchair we have seen the simple act of keeping time by tapping a rhythm stick as part of an improvised group music making experience inspire a sense of belonging and achievement. When so much has been lost, this simple activity fosters the feeling that, “Yes, I can do this, and I am an integral part of this group making music together!”

Engagement in music making activity, specifically, (along with speaking two languages) is at the “top of the brain gain food chain” when it comes to enhancing neurological functioning. (This makes sense, since music is like another language.) Moreover, because of how the aging brain processes sound, this is particularly so for older adults.

Music for Seniors is committed, as well, to making it easy and rewarding for local musicians to be part of this effort to bring the best music possible to their own community’s seniors. Our Musician Partners share their time, and their gifts and talents as significant civic involvement and we offer them per-program stipends for this important community service. Their dedication helps ensure that older adults’ lives are enriched in this way.

Music for Seniors is an anti-racist organization. We are committed to the fair and equitable treatment and protection of all program participants and all beneficiaries of our services. We welcome individuals of every race, ethnicity, gender, gender identification, sexual orientation, religious affiliation, and atall levels of physical and cognitive abilities.