I realize that this is a topic that I may be exhausting, but I keep coming up with new ideas! For past ideas and tips you can check other Marimba Blog posts, the article in Percussive Notes, and my reaction to the article on the PAS website.
Last night I performed a gig and taped the process of tearing down my marimba for a new video blog… riveting stuff! As I was doing this I thought of more ideas to build on for those of you interested in performing for older audiences.
For starters, in the video I quickly talked about my feelings about this sort of community outreach concert. I had to make it quick, so I will elaborate here. I view a performance like this (Assisted Living Center, Retirement home, etc.) as a public service, not an opportunity to educate an audience. My assembly performances are an opportunity to educate, but this type of concert is not the forum for “education.”
In both venues, the main idea is to entertain, but there’s always an underlying reason you’re there. With the assemblies I’m there to entertain and to spread great music, but I’m also there to give some sort of educational experience, otherwise a school would have no interest in bringing me in. With my performances for senior citizens, I am there to provide a bit of companionship and service. Even in the best of homes the residents’ lives can become monotonous, so I come in to provide a warm and engaging experience that gives them something new and exciting in their lives.
This is why I find it so important to be early and to be willing to stay a little late. I want to make sure that I don’t rush myself in the set up or tear down stages so that I can converse with as many residents as I can. But be warned! If you are a musician with awkward social skills, this type of performance may not be for you. If you cannot take hearing the same joke about “don’t you wish you had played the flute instead?” joke, this type of performance may not be for you. As a marimbist I remind myself each time that even thought my performance is not geared towards education, I am usually introducing the instrument to a new audience. There will always be a lot of questions about the marimba (and there will usually be questions about my personal life). I personally get satisfaction from spending the time at these gigs, make sure that if you perform for the elderly that you approach it with the same positive manner (or else you will not get called back!).
In the past I have mentioned that I prefer to fill my repertoire for these concerts with as much older Broadway and Jazz songs as possible. But, I have never mentioned that you need to know your audience. My first performance for an assisted living center was in December of 2007, so naturally I worked on a few Christmas songs. While I was looking up directions the day before the gig I realized that it was a home specific for a Jewish community! Luckily, I had enough time to work up a few other pieces to replace those Christmas songs.
You may have noticed that I only have a few short clips on my youtube from these types of concerts. This is because I feel that I should be tasteful, respectful, and professional about what I put online. I have brought my camera to almost every gig I’ve ever performed, just to watch later to see how I did. I like to see what they liked, what bored them, and where I can improve. However, I also check to see IF I can put something online. I say if, because I try to be respectful of the residents. I have had many gigs where people are talking through the performance, where some of the older residents have had some sort of outburst, or sometimes when the support staff is being loud. These can all lead to an unprofessional recording, and it’s not worth it to put those online. I just continue to keep trying and see if I can find a clip that I feel comfortable posting.
I also have two new ideas from the performance aspect. Lately I have tried using softer mallets even on pieces where I would normally use harder ones. It seems that the seniors I’ve played for have really responded to this. Also, you may notice on some of my videos that I don’t often perform very complicated arrangements of old Broadway songs. I tend to simply play out of a piano book that always has a clearly defined melody, so that people can sing along if they wish.
Enjoy the new video blog!
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