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Senior Center Recital Sing-alongs

Found in: Recitals & Events

Anna J., Canada

I’m hoping to plan some recital opportunities in Long Term care homes this spring for my students. In addition to playing from their playlists, I’d love to include some great singalong music. Any suggestions of what would be great songs to play for the residents that they might love to singing along to? I’m thinking things from the late ’40’s through early ’60’s…any ideas?

Laurie Richards, Nebraska

Have you ever seen any of the Reader’s Digest song collections? They are fabulous and there are several. I have one called Treasury of Best Loved Songs: 114 All-Time Family Favorites. They are all from that era and could be used as accompaniment pieces for singalong.
Here’s an example of the songs: All the Things You Are, Deep Purple, Goodnight Sweetheart, Let Me Call You Sweetheart, Moon River, Strangers in the Night, Who’s Sorry Now, Young at Heart…..

Heidi M., Canada

I often sing/play harp at my father’s nursing home. The residents there love a lot of songs but especially the old-time hymns, as (for many residents) they these were such a part of their experience/culture growing up. I have also found the residents at nursing homes love the songs from classical movies for example “Edelweiss” and “Do-Re-Mi” from The Sound of Music.

Jacqui G., Canada

Used book stores are a good resource for older music from the 1920s on up. At my favorite used book store I have found sheet music, collections of songs from specific eras or Broadway musicals, and anthologies such as the Reader’s Digest ones that Laurie recommended. You might also check with the recreational directors of the care homes, as they often have song compilations for the residents to use during singalongs.