The workshop program has been put on hold for two reasons. The first, and probably the most important, is that we have found it isn't necessary to have a formal program. The attendance to the first two workshops was minimal but that gave us a chance to work individually and we were able to give the needed information in just a few hours. One student from the Bellingham workshop is performing shows every day at the facility where he works (see Testimonial from Michael McGee). The second student, Paul Davidson, who attended the session at The Leon Sullivan Health Care Center has started performing in Seattle and, in his words, is booking more shows than he dreamed. Both singers are excited about their performances and many more residents are getting to experience good, lively musical shows. Another student who couldn't attend the workshop, but is interested in doing shows has just started learning the songs from a CD we made for her and is planning on getting out there in a few weeks.

We are leaving this information on the web site because we believe it would be a good program to promote this concept but, frankly, we don't have the time right now. If anyone is interested in learning what they need to perform shows in nursing homes, we have a package of information, most of which is already on the website, that we will make available.

WORKSHOP SUMMARY

This workshop will train musicians and singers (using piano accompaniment CDs) to perform shows at nursing homes, senior centers or retirement communities. It is our goal to teach as many people as possible the following:

• The effect of music in long-term care facilities
• The types of music our seniors really enjoy
• Music therapy and its amazing effects
• How to perform shows using piano accompaniment CDs
• How to make some money doing these performances (nobody gets rich doing this, but there is no greater satisfaction)
• How to relate to residents in these facilities and deal with the harsh environment

Our program consists of training five-ten singers/performers  to perform entertaining shows in nursing homes. As part of our training, we want the students to see a good show performed and I will perform The Piano Bar Show in the afternoon at a local facility. I have been performing this show for the past ten years and I have seen what works.  It is our desire to teach others how to perform a show that really entertains.

Our goal is to train singers to perform these shows and give all of the nursing homes and retirement facilities a greater choice in providing quality entertainment. The quality of the show is significantly affected by the quality of the music, and this is one of the uniquely special aspects of our program. We not only give students the knowledge of how to perform shows, what songs to do and how to get gigs; we also give the singers the piano accompaniment that enables them to do a show that really swings; and a show that the residents really love.

We would like to present workshops at as many nursing homes as we can. Our overall goal is to have a show every day at every facility to give the residents something to look forward to. Their lives are pretty tough, and good musical entertainment every day would help brighten everyone’s spirits.

• Schedule-------------- (The afternoon schedule is the same each week)
• 9:30 - 10:00 ------------Opening Discussion
• 10:00-12:00 ------------Class
• 12:00 - 2:00 ------------Working lunch (explore the healing power of music)
• 2:00 - 3:00 --------------Performance - The Piano Bar Show
• 3:00 - 3:30 ------------- Sing-a-long (using piano accompaniment CDs)
• 3:30 -----------------------Discussion (the effect of the show on the residents and the effect of the residents on the students

Sing-a-long Piano CDs

The key to the success of this workshop is the ability to use these sing-a-long piano accompaniment CDs that give every singer the opportunity to perform a show if they so desire. These CDs are being used by singers around the country and have been proven to be very effective.

 Just so no one misunderstands our intention, we believe it is always better to have a live performer playing a real instrument as opposed to the use of a pre-recorded CD. However, the fact is that there are many, many more people who can sing than musicians who can play; particularly when talking about this type of music from the 20s to the 40s. Our goal is to make it possible for there to be a show every day in every nursing home and there just are not that many musicians who could do it. There are enough singers and we want to reach them.

The main features of using these CDs are:

The songs are appropriate for the environment. Most of the songs are from 1910 to 1950 and form the mainstay of the Great American Songbook.

The songs have been recorded by a piano player who has played for many different singers. He gives each singer a strong platform from which they can expand their performance and make the song their own.

Here is a quote from a letter we received from one of our singers using these CDs

Also see Testimonial from Michael McGee, one of our first students.

"The support he gives me as a singer is wonderful. It's as if he is right there playing for me!. Meeting Robert was a turning point in my life. Because of his accompaniment, I am now able to sing several times a month in Retirement and Nursing homes. At last I am able to do what I wanted to do all my life - sing! I know this is what I was put on this earth to do."  Bobbie Quinn, Walnut Creek, CA
Songs are presented in all keys with a procedure to assist singers in finding the proper key for their voice. Tempos can also be changed to fit a singer’s style. These songs are available on our web site or on a CD that can be used on a computer.

(The songs are in MIDI format, which allows for many songs on a single CD but cannot be played on a typical CD player).
After a student has chosen the songs for their show, they get a CD suitable for any CD player.

We hope to train as many singer/performers as possible and welcome any high schools, volunteer organizations, musicians or just general folk who would like to share their time and talent with the residents of a nursing home and provide a very needed service.