We are still giving the concerts in the Aged Care homes, though we have cut back, and I only accept a rare one-off concert invite, as they give me a lot more stress than our regulars, particularly doing a one-off program to suit them.
We play in worship services on three Sundays in the month, two local and one about an hour away.
Also I have been singing with a local choir that gives concerts and visits a couple of local Aged Care homes. We practice every week and have had a few concerts and participate in the community Carols, which I am not keen on these days with raffle tickets being sold etc. I am looking forward to the Nine Lessons just before Christmas.
We moved the Strum and Singalong group to the Church Hall and that has been a blessing, as the church people are so enthusiastic to have us there, and the aircon is greatly appreciated. And we don't have the problem of the wind blowing our pages, as we did at the garden. We are having an end of year Christmas Party which has meant a lot of paperwork to provide everyone with books to play from. As we now have 24 people it is an issue for next year, as I have been providing the folders and sheets to play and sing from. I expect we will have more people next year. People tell me it is a ministry, we welcome whoever wants to play, or just sing, and the joy I see on the faces of some who have wanted to play an instrument for years is exquisite. One has age-onset polio, another at 82 wanted to learn all her life, and they fit in beautifully and have the satisfaction, as part of the group, of "making a joyful noise".
I moved on from ukulele to mandolin, which I have been playing in the church services also. Very easy to play the chords, and I am hoping to move on to more skills particularly playing melody for myself when things ease off. And who knows, one day I might get to do tremolo.
4 comments:
Your days are filled with music and that is good. I enjoy music and singing is a favorite of mine. Don't sing much but in church. I sang in Christmas choir two years ago but not last year. Will see what happens this year. Singing in Aged homes is special. I know my mom enjoyed it when people would share music and singing at nursing home she lived in. Happy Christmas season to you. Hugs!
Lovely to hear from you, Becky Yes it is special singing in church and hope you do get to sing in the Christmas choir.
With Love and Blessings for you and all your family. Hugs!
Pneumonia is serious business, Jan, and I hope and pray you are better!
This shingles thing is not for sissies. I came down with it in September and had a friend who is an RN help me. God bless her sweet heart! I had to steer clear of my godchildren since they have not had chicken pox. I didn't know about the vaccine for shingles. I still have some issues, but the blisters, thank the Good Lord in Heaven, are gone.
Sending hugs across the miles. Your choir/orchestra group looks like fun. I play the flute, and if I were there, I would sign on!
Love to you during this blessed season.
xoxoxox
Sheila
Thank you Sheila, the worrying thing about pneumonia was not knowing I had it!
Yes shingles is horrible, and I learnt, when a friend had it, that it can last for a year or more, so very glad you are on the path to recovery.
Wouldn't it be wonderful if you could join us in the music group!
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