Music for a Senior Center

This set includes over 45 minutes of music. Buy the whole set of 10 tunes and get 10% off!

Welcome back to Harp Column’s “Build Your Gig Book” blog series. In this blog, I have curated a concert program for your next senior living community visit! Having a residency at a senior community and playing for many other communities often, I’ve come to learn that seniors really enjoy hearing pieces that they recognize, whether that be classical, popular, folk, etc. It helps them recall memories and I can’t tell you how many times I have started to play a familiar melody and they instantly perk up! My senior audiences also enjoy hearing hymns and soft, soothing music. This hour-long program is filled with all of these. One of the best things about this playlist is that you can integrate all these pieces back into your gig book, but they all still stand alone and allow you to shine as a soloist!

Titles marked with an * are playable on lever harp.

Classical Favorites

*Canon in D

arr. Sylvia Woods

This is my tried and true arrangement of Pachelbel’s famous piece. I love the simplicity of the accompaniment, allowing you to focus on the right hand melody. This arrangement is simple, regal, and always a crowd pleaser!

*The Restaurant – Classical Selections

arr. Darhon Rees-Rohrbacher

This collection is a treasure trove of repertoire! It is chock-full of well-loved orchestra, opera, operetta and art song compositions. Some of my favorites to perform are Musetta’s WaltzVa Penseiro, On Wings of Song, Toreador Song, The Swan, and O Mio Babbino Caro. I promise you and your senior audience will know most of these classic melodies!

The Blue Danube

arr. Meinir Heulyn

This familiar Strauss piece is a classic. The well-known melody and waltz rhythm add extra fun to your program. I always receive an applause after this one!

Hymn Favorites

He Leadeth Me/God Leads Us Along

arr. Claire Ryan

This reflective hymn medley is gorgeous! I personally enjoy the beautiful melodies and the slow build throughout.

*It Is Well With My Soul

arr. Rhett Barnwell

You can’t go wrong with this arpeggio-filled version of this beloved hymn. My seniors audiences love singing along to this one!

Folk Favorites

Kim Robertson

Shenandoah

$6.95

Deborah Henson-Conant

Danny Boy (Londonderry Air)

$5.95

*What Child is This?

arr. Jodi Ann Tolman

This tune seems to get requested often. Some people may fear this is Christmas carol, but the lyrics “What Child Is This” were actually written and set to the English folk song “Greensleeves” about a century later, so you’re in the clear to play this year-round! I love this delicate version.

*Shenandoah

arr. Kim Robertson

This is a beautiful arrangement of the popular American folk song. Such a gorgeous melody!

*Danny Boy

arr. Deborah Henson-Conant

Seniors always love this ballad set to the Irish melody Londonderry Air. This version uses some jazzier harmonies that really reimagine this classic.

Other Favorites

Michelle Whitson Stone

Moon River

$12.00

Pedal Sliders

Tea at the Ritz

$6.00

*Moon River

arr. Michelle Whitson Stone

This song was made famous by the 1961 movie Breakfast at Tiffany’s. The sweet melody is always a favorite among my senior audiences and I can always hear them humming along to this one.

Tea at the Ritz

Pedal Sliders

This jazzy, bluesy original composition is so fun! You’ll have your senior audience swaying back and forth from start to finish.

Purchase this entire set and get 10% off the total!

Choose all the products listed here and add them to your cart. (Be sure to choose a version where indicated.) Discount will be reflected in your cart.

ImageNamePriceBuy
Danny Boy (Londonderry Air)$5.95
He Leadeth Me/God Leads Us Along$5.00
It is Well With My Soul$6.00
Moon River$12.00
Pachelbel's Canon$10.99
Shenandoah$6.95
Tea at the Ritz$6.00
The Blue Danube$12.00
The Restaurant Book-Classical Selections$20.00
What Child is This?$7.00

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