https://youtu.be/wWtQwLN6zw8
Redondo Beach Rotary has started a program to bring music to seniors with memory issues. Music Mends Minds has turned into a popular program at the Anderson Park Senior Center.
REDONDO BEACH ROTARY CLUB – MUSIC MENDS MINDS
Last September, a group of Redondo Beach Rotarians went to experience a rehearsal of the Westchester Music Mends Minds rehearsal. The Fifth Dementia included several instrumentalists as well as several singers. Some of the members had Alzheimer’s or Parkinson’s disease. Research has shown that music is a way to help people with forms of dementia.
In September of 2017, our Redondo Beach Rotary started our own group. We did this at the Redondo Beach Salvation Army every Wednesday afternoon from 2:30 – 3:30. Karen Weigel does our administrative work and works the projector used to display the words of the songs that we are singing. Sue Johnson leads the singing. Mary Ann Stickler is our accompanist. Jim Stickler uses a laser pointer to help the singers follow the words on the screen. In addition, several other Rotary members came to sing along with us.
We decided to focus on singing, rather than a band. However, we did have some rhythm instruments for people to play. We sing a variety of songs – oldies, songs from Broadway musicals, Beatles, Elvis and many other styles. The audience sang along with gusto.
In December, we changed locations in order to better serve a larger number of people - an enthusiastic group of 15-20 singers each session. Our new location is the South Bay Adult Care Center in Anderson Park in, 3007 Vail Avenue, Redondo Beach. This takes place on the 1st and 3rd Thursday of each month. We start setting up at 1:30 and sing for about an hour. The group is so excited to see us each time we are there. Their hugs and smiles tell us that they are really enjoying the activity.
Music Mends Minds
South Bay Adult Care Center
3007 Vail Avenue
Redondo Beach, CA 90278
1st and 3rd Thursday of the month 1:45 – 2:45