DO-IT-YOURSELF, IMPROMPTU SING ALONGS WITH NURSING HOME RESIDENTS-NURSING HOMES ACTIVITIES MAIL BOARD

Because when we sing our hearts invariably join in.

SHARE A SONG

Nursing home residents have the choice to sing, hum, practice or teach these songs, any time, anywhere, alone, as a one-on-one activity or in small groups, in various areas of the home.

A music teacher configured this series of over 150 songs, specifically chosen for the enjoyment and varied abilities of residents.

Each week, one of our custom-designed song sheets goes on the board.

The words to the song in large print
Color graphics matching the song, to help residents identify it
An introduction or helpful hints about the song.
An ID# matching it's place on the music CD.

A song goes up on the board to be learned, shared and practiced for a week. As the number of learned songs builds, people can easily choose a song or perhaps just sing the chorus whenever the song fits the moment. The singing of these songs can be a great communication tool, when the words are just the right thing to say. After a few weeks, humming and soft singing can be heard through the home at any time, as a natural part of daily life.

RANGE OF DIFFICULTY:

EASY - Most people know these by heart.

PRACTICE SONGS - Can be easily learned.

Chorus only � This is a great self-image booster for those residents that want to learn and sing the verses. Everyone joins in on the chorus.

ONE-LiNERS - These songs have a repetitive line. No matter who sings the song, the whole group comes in for that line.

Sound effects - Residents love jumping in when it's time to do the sound effect.

Barbershop quartet or solo songs �There are residents and visitors who can sing these songs beautifully. They�re nice to hear over the intercom.

ENTERTAINING SONGS - For those brave visitors who might wish to do a creative performance.

SING-ALONG SONG THEMES:

FRIEND-TO-FRIEND - Express various meanings of friendship. The residents feel very special when someone sings one of these songs to them or with them. Sharing just a small part of one of these songs can make a positive difference in their day.

HAPPY & HOPE - Give cheer, hope, promise and promote a feel-good attitude.

TRADITIONAL - Are well-known songs, which have stood the test of time, in our hearts and on our minds.

PATRIOTIC - Are happy, pride inducing patriotic songs. They answer a need to express our love for our country.

SPIRITUAL - Are non-secular, uplifting, familiar songs, which have been popular and well loved.

COWBOY & CAMPFIRE - Everyone has sung at one time or another around a campfire. Get a few residents in a circle and go camping.

T.V. SHOW THEMES - Are part of our cultural heritage. If you hear one of these songs being sung, you just automatically jump in and help finish it.

STORY SONGS - Are more complicated songs, usually sung to the residents because they are fun to hear. But most of these have a chorus or a line in the song where the residents may easily join in.

What if you don't know or don't remember the tune? No problem!

We decided not to use musical notes for 3 reasons.

Use of notes is limited to those who can read them.
Use of musical instruments is limited to those who can play them.
Use of both of these generally implies that a singing session has to be scheduled.

Since most people learn to sing along with tunes by hearing them, we put a sample of each song on CD.

If a someone would like to sing or hear a certain song and can�t remember the tune, first look at the #, on the song sheet, then go to the CD, (which can only be heard on a computer) and double-click that number. Listening to it a couple of times should be enough for someone to pick up the tune. After a while, some residents will know several songs and can help others, with the tune.

So you say you can't sing?

Everyone can sing. The only truth is that some can sing better than others. So we generally leave it up to the ones who do it well. We don�t want to embarrass ourselves. Don't cheat yourself and the residents out of good time, just because you don't sing well. Even the person who is tone deaf can join in wholeheartedly, on a good time sing-along.

That's because when we sing our heart invariably joins in. Singing: