The Music Makers

WHO WE ARE | PROGRAMS

The Salvation Army Massachusetts Divisional Headquarters had to follow certain guidelines to have the successful seniors music program it had in mind. Every member and instructor had to present a negative COVID–19 test, whether they were vaccinated or not. The number of participants also had to be reduced to allow space for social distancing.

“Major Joy Jugenheimer, program secretary in the Massachusetts Division, and I wanted to bring a musical experience that was both enriching and fulfilling to seniors,” says Anne Rich, program specialist. “Seniors thought that we were going to put a giant tuba in their hands. Instead, they were offered guitars, drums, pianos, and even bass.”

The music program is part of the Massachusetts Salvation Army’s larger outreach ministry to seniors. It encourages senior socialization by having them watch movies, eat together, and do arts and crafts.

However, Rich says it’s the music classes that bring out the most joy and diversity. Many Army music programs are focused on younger students, but the older generation is just as appreciative for the chance to learn instruments.

“When we start a music week I say to them, ‘by the end of this week, you will be able to play one or two songs,’” says Rich.

During the lessons the seniors learn to play and make new music, but the best songs are found in their past. As instructor, Rich gets to know every participant who comes in, such as Katherine, who immigrated from Jamaica to clean floors at a Boston hospital.

She eventually worked her way up and became a registered nurse. In the class, she did timbrel, but when another senior in the program badly cut herself while doing dishes, Katherine’s nursing knowledge came into play. Though she had long retired from nursing, she treated the wound, and kept in touch with her patient to make sure she was okay.

“You don’t stop being who you are just because you get older,” says Rich.

Another student in the program is a great example. Though his arms are disabled, years ago he had learned to play the guitar by holding it upside down and backwards. In the program, he played again.

“He cried as he was playing, because it brought him back to his youth. Your passion defines who you are,” says Rich.

Then there are the students whose lives have been an exercise in passion and dedication. One of the women, Ella Swain, learned to play the upright bass. After a lesson, she stayed to share her moving personal story.

“Ella was one of the first African American women to attend college in the Berkshires. Back in the south, where she was from, she had not been allowed to take classes to learn music or even to be a schoolteacher,” says Rich. “Up north, she would eventually sing in chorus, become a cheerleader, and even be elected homecoming queen.”

However, Ella also said that when her cheerleading team traveled to the Carolinas for competitions, she could not go with them, because she was not allowed to stay in a white family’s house, as college competitors do when traveling.

“There are trailblazers like Ella among us, and without this music program, we’d never get to hear their stories,” says Rich.

“Music is a catalyst for bringing enrichment and socializing to all people, not just those with musical ability,” says Rich. “It’s the reason why the program continues to grow, with its participants eagerly asking for the next time they will play together.

“There is such a commonality when you create music. I could be in any Salvation Army building, simply playing a hymn such as ‘His Eye Is on the Sparrow’ as people come in, and they’ll become immediately drawn to it. I ask them, ‘What does this song mean to you? Where were you when you first heard it?’

“Then, music becomes a form of expression, for both sides.”

by HUGO BRAVO

TIPS FOR LEARNING MUSIC

Consider your space and surroundings. If you want to practice piano but live in a home with thin walls and cranky neighbors, a digital piano with headphones might work better than a traditional one.

Practice, but be flexible too. If 30 minutes is too long to practice per day, try two sessions of 15 minutes each.

Use a metronome. A metronome will keep you honest. It will show you if you’re playing too fast to keep up with lyrics or too slow when the song gets difficult.

Record yourself playing. You will hear where you are doing well, and where you need improvement.

Study music theory and history. Learning theory helps make sense of melodies and chords. Music history teaches how music changed and evolved over time. It will also help you develop your own unique sound.