L&M Publications
Merrick Life • Bellmore Life • Freeport-Baldwin Leader • Wantagh-Seaford Citizen

Paul Biondi, Masters of science in education, is a private guitar instructor, composer, and partner of Bang On Records Lesson Studios in Bellmore.  You can write to him at paulb@bangonrecords.com.

by Paul Biondi

If you sing or play an instrument, you may have already had the thrill of performing for a crowd of screaming, adoring, autograph-seeking fans (yes, family counts).
   
Or maybe you haven’t performed in front of an audience but you’re ready to stretch yourself and go for it. When looking for a place to perform, don’t overlook the joy and sincere appreciation awaiting you at senior centers and senior assisted-living facilities. 
   
It’s different from what you might imagine. After one of these performances, I guarantee you’ll feel you’ve been transformed into one of the best human beings on the planet. I was there when it happened to a group of young musicians. 
   
Many years ago when working as a music therapist with at-risk youths placed in foster care, I assembled a band of musically inclined teenagers. Combining private music instruction and thrice-weekly band rehearsals, with hard and dedicated practice these young men and women were sounding pretty good within a few months.

As these individuals were understandably accustomed to focusing mostly on themselves and their problems, I understood that mini-vacations from their deep personal pain were important.            

Since doing something for someone else often provides a much-needed emotional sanctuary, I suggested a field trip and performance at a local senior citizen center. They loved the idea. A few weeks later we were tuning up and preparing to play at the local nursing home.
   
As the seniors began entering the room (some under their own ability, but most assisted by wheelchairs, rolling cots, canes, walkers and aides) the band, although they weren’t staring, became visibly curious about the various bandages, medical devices and accessories worn by their audience.                    
Before the performance, band members and seniors mingled. Knowing well the feeling of pain on the inside, the band members were now becoming aware of pain on the outside. They respectfully began asking the seniors about their medical devices and the seniors, with grace and kindness, explained their purposes.
   
Following the final bow the seniors showered the young musicians with an outpouring of affection and genuine appreciation, letting them know how much the concert meant to them and how they would never forget that afternoon and their sharing of themselves and their music.
   
The seniors’ gratitude had a noticeable impact on broadening the band members’ perspective on life as a whole. When someone who has lived into their 70s and beyond tells you how sharing your music meant the world to them, that’s a lot of world.
 
So, go out and play the coffee houses, talent shows and the open jams but give yourself – and someone else – the gift of a lifetime. Share your music.