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