Feliz Navidad and playing for the caregivers

Magical moments emerge out of a given gig in unexpected ways. Last night some of those moments came while playing for a group of older adults with dementia.  I play there twice a month after dinner calming guitar musical selections I call, "Sundown Serenade." Evening is often a confusing and anxiety provoking time for those with dementia and the music helps to relax them.

Many times while I am playing those working as caregivers get to have a bit of a break and sit at the table and talk and have something to eat. I often feel invisible (which is a nice feeling, actually!) as I sit playing my guitar and observe the night unfolding at the nursing home. I started the evening's music with some pieces I composed myself just to get the music flowing in the room.

As I warmed up, I started playing some familiar songs like, "Fly me to the Moon,"  "What a Wonderful World."  Then when I played, "What the World Needs Now," I saw one of the caregivers stop what she was doing and look over at me with an expression of recognition and fond memories surfacing. After I finished playing the song, I said: "Dionne Warwick." She smiled and said, "That was bringing back memories."  That inspired me to go through more songs of that era--songs like, "Baby, Now That I've Found You," "My Cherie Amour," "You Are the Sunshine of my Life."

This led to a conversation about the music of the 60s and one of them asked how I knew all those songs. I told them I grew up on those songs and loved the music of Jose Feliciano and other guitarists of the time. One of them asked, "Do you know, "Feliz Navidad?"  Yes I said and as I started singing it, all of the caregivers in the room joined in singing to the residents.  We laughed and sang more Christmas songs and then the residents also joined in. "Joy to the World," "O Come All Ye Faithful," "The First Noel."  It gave such a feeling of togetherness in the room that was not there before. Like I said, I don't mind being in the background and playing instrumental music to relax but it is always such an honor to be able to really connect with people with music. 

There are times I do focus on connecting with the caregivers and I am always rewarded in doing so. As I got ready to leave one said, "I loved tonight!" I did too and they all said how much they enjoyed seeing me again and the feeling was mutual.