Music students perform band concert for seniors
Courtesy photo Moses Lake School District band students played music, and threw in a dance, at a concert for seniors Saturday.
MOSES LAKE — Members of the Moses Lake High School band and Chief Moses Middle School bands played a concert – and even threw in some dance moves – for the residents of Pioneer Village Saturday morning.
It was the inaugural concert in an initiative called “Harmony Bridge,” which is designed to introduce kids and senior citizens to each other through live music. Pioneer Village is a senior living complex across the street from the high school.
The MLHS and CMMS students played for the residents, music designed to appeal to seniors and students alike, and performed a nifty little dance as a bonus.
Dan Beich, who teaches band in the MLHS music department, said the music teachers learned about the program when the Dallas Brass came to town in March. Michael Levine, the Dallas Brass founder, is also the founder of the Harmony Bridge program.
Levine said members of the Dallas Brass visited a South Dakota extended care facility during a 2010 concert tour, and began playing a few tunes while they were there. The music attracted other residents of the facility, who gathered in the hall to listen.
The residents’ visible enjoyment gave Levine an idea. “Thanks to music education, we have millions of kids, from coast to coast and in every size community, who have the ability to bring joy to the lives of these seniors,” he wrote. That led him to start Harmony Bridge, and prepare a music program for it.
Cheryl Schweizer can be reached via email at education@columbiabasinherald.com.