Singing for Health – and Happiness

Singing and making music together can help people connect with each other in a creative – and special – way.

Senior Planet participants, with singer and songwriter Maggie Rothwell, gather twice a month online – the first and third Wednesdays – to discuss the art (and practice) of songwriting and singing. Participants get inspired, share tips, perform original compositions, receive constructive feedback, and listen to songs written by other participants on a wide range of topics. The sessions are open to everyone to perform and to listen.

Want to check out the Senior Planet talent? Check out our Singer-Songwriter showcase on YouTube here.

And release your inner Simon or Garfunkel with our twice monthly Songwriting Night series – and other music programming. Get info here.

“Music puts us in touch with our feelings, connects us to the past, and gives us hope for the future. There are so many inspirational songs that uplift us,” notes Rothwell. “Songs unlock memory – certain Fleetwood Mac songs take me back to high school…and offer so much more. Don’t underestimate the power and importance of  joy, and singing brings joy.”

A Song a Day

With the Daily Antidote of Song, (created during the pandemic lockdown and going strong some 1400 days later), people Zoom in from all over the country – and the world – to sing together every day at 12 noon EST.

“I thought we would do this for maybe a month,” says Jo Rasi, program director, the Daily Antidote of Song,  sponsored by Carpe Diem Arts, a nonprofit based in Silver Spring, Maryland.  “We began in April 2020. In April 2024, we’ll enter our fifth year.  When isolation was ending, we recognized that people who lived in isolation before the pandemic would no longer have all those virtual programs and we wanted them to still have live music online, so we kept it going.”

“We’ve had 500 song leaders and hosts,” adds Rasi.  “Some of the song leaders have connected in person with other musicians in the group. Their songs range from folk, rock, blues, pop and more. You might hear Amazing Grace or The Beatles.”

Each session features a host and a song leader. The host introduces the song leader and welcomes everyone. The lyrics scroll along on the right hand side of the screen as the song leader sings.

Senior Planet zoomed into several sessions during January – it was great fun! One Sunday, about 45 people sang Stevie Wonder’s Happy Birthday song, written for MLK Jr. Day. The song leader was a singer from Ethiopia.  Another time, a couple from Athens Georgia, taught us an original song and we learned about local art forms, like quilting.

Can’t make the live event? You can visit a You Tube channel  that stores the presentations.

Singing, Music and Health

Studies show that singing improves health and mood, lessens anxiety, increases lung capacity and stimulates memory – singing has a positive effect on the brain and it can jog the memory of  people with dementia. Membership in a group or chorus promotes social bonding and fosters team work skills.

Sing Your Own Song!

“Songwriting is definitely a fun and creative activity!” says Rothwell. “It exercises your brain and is a great way to get your thoughts and feelings out. Some people find it therapeutic, while others just enjoy sharing their take on different subjects in an entertaining way.”

“Plus,” Rothwell adds, “like many worthwhile creative endeavors, songwriting can be challenging.  That’s why Senior Planet Songwriting Night on Zoom is so helpful. It’s a welcoming space to get support, constructive feedback, and to be inspired by others. – whether they are new to songwriting or not – or even if they don’t have an instrument. Online resources like Songcraft or Hooktheory or Masterwriter help you create songs…so don’t let not playing an instrument stop you! Senior Planet Songwriting Night is also a great place to find musicians to collaborate with who can help make your lyrics into a song!”

“Singing a song that you wrote yourself is very gratifying and creates a special connection with the audience. It’s a great way to share more about yourself while relating to others who may have common experiences about family, nature, relationships, current events and daily life.”

YOUR TURN

What’s your favorite song….an oldie? A torch song? One you wrote yourself?  Share your picks in the comments!

Join the Jam

There’s a Senior Planet Songwriter Showcase through Zoom every quarter featuring five or six songwriters who have participated in the songwriting nights. The  next showcase is scheduled for Wednesday, March 20th at 7:00 EST. It’s free and open to everyone so we hope you’ll join us! 

Kate Walter is the author of two memoirs: Behind the Mask: Living Alone in the Epicenter; and Looking for a Kiss: A Chronicle of Downtown Heartbreak and Healing. Her essays and opinion pieces have appeared in The New York Times, Newsday, New York Daily News, AM-NY, Next Avenue, The Advocate, The Village Sun and other outlets. She taught writing at CUNY and NYU for three decades and now works as a writing coach.