home > resources and links > programming > music > music ideas - site map

MUSIC THERAPY AND PROGRAM IDEAS

By Robert Lowden, ACC, DMA

There are so many ways in which Recreation professionals can utilize music in programming. Some examples include:

• Sing-a-longs
• Name that Tune
• Music Writing
• Rhythm Band
• Music Videos
• Karaoke
• Guest Entertainers
• Resident Choir
• Music Appreciation
• Music Games
• Music Trivia
• Talent Shows
• Musical Theater
• Cultural Music
• Spiritual Music
• Sensory Stimulation to Music
• Tone Chimes
• Drumming Circles
• Music and Movement
• Music Bingo
• Music Therapy Sessions
• One to One Music
• Music and dining
• Utilize music to enhance creativity  during painting, arts, etc.
• Music and reminiscence

MUSIC PROGRAMMING TIPS

• Inservice Recreation staff frequently on how they can implement various musical activities
• Experiment with various styles and eras and learn to appreciate what the residents appreciate
• Have staff design their own sing-a-long format
• Use Cassette tapes, CD’s, and DVD’s to increase your music library
• Just sing! In the field of recreation, there is no time for the inhibited employee
• Be actively involved with the residents
• If an outside entertainer is performing, my staff is attempting to get the residents to clap, getting them up to dance, having them sing, and to interact anyway they can.
• It’s vitally important to have fun and to see that those in their charge are having fun, as well.
• Whether we are dealing with one person or a group of residents, we need to:
  • Face the resident(s)
  • Make eye contact
  • Take a hand while singing the words of a song
  • Take a hand(s) while swaying gently to the music
  • Initiate a clapping in time to the music. This should bring back a sense of rhythm.
  • Assist residents to stand, if at all possible, and do simple dance steps or some type of movement to the music.
• I personally encourage resident-associations with particular songs. This enhances and enriches the hearing of the music with personal memory attachments.
  • “Do you recall dancing to a particular song?”
  • “Where were you?”
  • “With whom did you dance?”
• Connect sensory cues to increase arousal and alertness.
  • Use sleigh bells with “Jingle Bells”
  • Use flags for Patriotic Music
  • Use a rose for “My Wild Irish Rose”
• If a resident is in the advanced stages of Alzheimer’s and is engaged in self-stimulating rhythmic movement such as, rocking back and forth or rubbing the arms of a chair, or eliciting sounds, one can make a bridge to his or her world by mimicking these sounds and movements (in a constructive way). It may bring the person’s attention to you and provide an opportunity to introduce an actual song of a similar rhythm, and thus encourage vocalization. Make every attempt to elicit some kind of response from an individual or group.