Because of the seemingly infinite number of beautiful melodies produced during the first half of the last century, it is easy to develop musical theme programs for seniors. People have a preference for music they listened to when they were young--in their teens and twenties. As an example, for audiences born in the 1930's, select music written between 1920 and 1960. Theme programs are a way to group or categorize some of these songs of enduring popularity and advertise them as event to your senior community.
ROMANTIC CLASSICS: A musical program featuring romantic favorites from the 1920's, 30's and 40's like "Moonlight in Vermont" or "I'll Never Smile Again" or Hoagy Carmichael's "Star Dust" or "Georgia on My Mind" is sure to please everyone and is appropriate during any season of the year. Irving Berlin wrote many beautiful, timeless love songs. "Always", "Cheek to Cheek", "They Say that Falling in Love Is Wonderful", and "What'll I Do" are just a few examples. "Smoke Gets in Your Eyes" written by Jerome Kern in 1933 has been popularized by artists in every generation and still moves audiences. Cole Porter's "In the Still of the Night" or "I've Got You Under My Skin" are classics to include. Don't neglect Harry Warren songs like "You Must Have Been a Beautiful Baby" or "Serenade in Blue".
PATRIOTIC: The WWII generation is very patriotic. Memorial Day, Flag Day, Fourth of July, and Veterans Day are occasions to hear songs dedicated to various branches of the armed services as well as Irving Berlin's humorous "You're in the Army, Mr. Jones" and "Oh, How I Hate to Get Up in the Morning."
BROADWAY: Broadway musicals can form the basis of successful musical programs. Senior audiences will know most of the songs from "South Pacific", "My Fair Lady", "The King and I", "Sound of Music", Fiddler on the Roof", "Showboat", "Annie Get Your Gun," "Music Man," and "Gypsy" by heart. Audiences a little younger in age or more sophisticated may appreciate selections from "Cats" or "Phantom of the Opera".
SEASONAL: Theme programs can be designed around any season of the year. "Autumn Leaves", "September Song", "It Might As Well Be Spring", "I'll Remember April" or "If Ever I Would Leave You... (it wouldn't be in autumn - or spring) are examples of songs that can set the tone of the program.
SPIRITUAL: People who have survived the great depression and WWII often have strong religious faith. They appreciate songs with spiritual content. Some songs like "You'll Never Walk Alone" or "Give Me Your Tired, Your Poor" are appropriate for all audiences and faiths. When designing a program of religious songs it may be consider choosing songs from the gospel tradition, negro spirituals, and old family favorites as well as medleys of hymns. Depending on the audience and the program theme, it may be appropriate to close secular musical programs with a song that is spiritual.
If the musical program contains beautiful melodies, and carries the audience back to their younger days, it will be appreciated by seniors, whether it is a live performance or a recording.
