Musicians are naturally giving people. A musician must first of all give endless hours of time to practice and hone the craft. But above all, music is to be shared, and some very giving locals donate their talents to help the wellbeing of community members in care facilities all over the county.
Marian Extended Care is a facility for people who require constant and long-term care. In order to help rehabilitate the patients, the staff makes use of games and puzzles, as well as music. With the exception of special events when musicians are sometimes hired, the demand for music is filled by volunteers.
“Music is a special thing,” said Rebecca Macy, activity director at Marian Extended Care. “It’s a way of touching people, and these people have a lot of heart.”
Members of the local Organ Society will often perform for the patients at the facility. Macy related an anecdote about a member of the society who was also a patient at Marian Extended Care; after his passing, he donating his organ to the facility.
Marian Extended Care enjoys the talents of many soloists, including organists, singers, and even a classical cellist, Macy explained. A community rich with talent is also rich with heart. Heart and Soul is an ensemble that actually makes the time to perform at Marian Extended Care and other care facilities at least once or twice a week.
Heart and Soul was founded by Will Pierce and Ralph Battles, who sang and played guitars together. Pierce is a retired park ranger who, after his retirement three years ago, devoted himself to volunteering his musical talents.
“I think music is really therapeutic to people in care facilities,” Pierce said. “There is a huge need for this in the community.”
The ensemble has since expanded to include six members. Pierce and Battles play guitars and sing, Gloria Pole is a lead singer, Jeff Woodhead plays electric and ukulele bass, Marlene Fissell is keyboardist, and Linda Rosenplatt is a conga player.
“We just keep trying to get better and focus in on giving them a lot of positive energy,” Pierce said. “I think it’s good for the residents, but the people who work there enjoy it too and will get up and dance with the patients and clap along.”
Heart and Soul entertains mostly elderly audiences and so offers a variety of classic and fun music. “Bicycle Built for Two,” “Rose of San Anton,” and “Dream Dream Dream” are some classics that stir up the nostalgia. The group also likes to include gospel numbers like “Amazing Grace” and older country songs. They may even go tropical with a Hawaiian-style song.
“We just like to play and have a good time,” Pierce said. “Some people get wheeled in, but when we start playing you can see their foot tapping.”
The group makes sure to perform at least once or twice a week in Santa Barbara and San Luis Obispo counties, but the holidays saw some increased activity, including 12 concerts in December.
“We don’t charge any money,” Pierce said, “although this Christmas people surprised us and gave us a donation.”
Generosity is a two-way street, and any musician who has volunteered his or her talents can tell you what a rewarding experience it is. Santa Maria alone has a number of care facilities that could use a few more volunteers. Most facilities have pianos in them for anyone to come and entertain on.
“A lot of these people are home bound,” Pierce said. “They love music, but they can’t ever get out to hear it. We just like to play and have a good time, and people like it.”
Music by Montgomery
Patrick Montgomery will be strumming his guitar and singing some favorite songs on Wednesdays and Sundays from 4 to 9 p.m. at the Santa Maria Brewing Company for the month of January. The brewery is at 112 Cuyama Lane, Nipomo. Listen for free! More info: 354-0219 or davidsnyder561@comcast.net.
In-house music
The new year also brings the debut show of the Kossuth House Concerts’ 2012 season with a performance by The Novelists on Jan. 14 at 7:30 p.m. at the Kossuth House in Santa Maria. Cost is a $10 donation. Contact Chuck Kossuth at chuck@kossuth5.com. More info: stillevolvingmusic.com/houseconcert.
Ladies join forces
Sweet Adelines International will present an open house concert featuring combined choirs, including the Tri City Sound Chorus, for the program “A Capella—A Sweet Choice” on Jan. 14 from 2 to 4 p.m. at Arroyo Grande High School, 495 Valley Road, Arroyo Grande. More info: 736-1874 or bjnigh1@verizon.net.
Contact Calendar Editor Joe Payne at jpayne@santamariasun.com.
This article appears in Jan 12-19, 2012.
