Nursing homes

[Dianne Perry]

My 92 year old mother is in a skilled unit of a nursing home. I’m planning to play the harp for the residents soon. In addition to “Amazing Grace”, “How Great Thou Art”, “Somewhere Over the Rainbow”, “Bicycle Built for Two”, “By the Light of the Silvery Moon”, and some selections from “The Sound of Music”, what other selections have you found to be really good for nursing home residents? I’m an intermediate player and have a pedal harp, so I’m looking for ideas of familiar melodies that sound pleasing and that won’t take long to learn. Thanks!!

[catherine-rogers]

Sounds like you have some good pieces already. Check with the activity director to be sure religious selections are okay depending on the demographics in that facility. Also remember many residents will be younger than your mom (mine would have been 92 this year also) and they were young adults in the 50s and 60s, maybe even the 70s, so check out Sylvia Woods’ collection of songs from those eras, especially the Beatles tunes and other Broadway and movie music. Easy piano versions can be useful for quick adaptation. Nice of you to do this; it will be greatly appreciated! Have fun!

[Dianne Perry]

Thanks, Catherine. I sat with my mom last weekend to hear a man sing and play the guitar. He included several religious songs. I looked at the June activities that were listed on the calendar and worship services were included, so I don’t think religious songs would be a problem. Thanks for the suggestion on music by Sylvia Woods. I’ll look into that. Thanks!

[balfour-knight]

Dianne, you may like to look at the Simply the Harp website, Angi Bemiss in Atlanta, Georgia. She has many simple arrangements that can be improvised on and added to. There are also lead sheets and fake-book versions as well. Enjoy!

Harp Hugs,
Balfour

[Dianne Perry]

Balfour,
Thanks for the website information. I was not familiar with this one. I found she has lots of song possibilities to choose from. I appreciate your input!

Dianne

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