Today I played piano at a retirement home down the road. My hour-long show was well attended, for that venue: there were at least 25 people there, all enjoying the music, as far as I can tell. I got a lot of nice compliments and applause, and generally lifted everyone’s spirits.
Here’s specifically some of the finer points about what I enjoyed about this performance (Note: I don’t usually talk so candidly about some of these things…but this is a personal blog so if now here, where?):
–They were an enthusiastic audience. No matter what the size or type of venue, a rapt audience is ALWAYS a good thing. When people are engaged with your performance, it means you are touching them. By giving to them you are altering their state in the direction of feeling inspired and alive. This is always joyful for me.
–I got to shine. All my strengths as a performer got to come through: dazzling keyboard work, inventive improvisations, personable and friendly showmanship, and an entertaining and diverse set.
–I got to sing. When I first started doing shows like this, 9 years ago, I rarely sang. Yet with continued practice at it (and having a fine vocal coach for many years now), I have gradually worked this part into the show. Today I sang about half the numbers, thus providing a nice balance of piano instrumental pieces and songs.
–I got to help make people happy. Playing music that people enjoy is a blessing in this life. I am grateful to be able to do it.
–I got paid. Getting paid for sharing your gifts is also a blessing in this life. 🙂
While I didn’t write down a set list, to the best of my memory, here are the songs I performed:
Songs I sang:
- Oh What a Beautiful Mornin
- Till There was You
- Can’t Help Falling in Love
- Great Balls of Fire
- Raindrops Keep Fallin on My Head
- Heart and Soul
- All the Things You Are
- Here With You I’m Home (Original Song)
Songs I played:
- Boogie Woogie Bugel Boy
- When You Wish Upon a Star
- All of Me
- Take the A Train
- Love Me Tender
- When I Take You Out in My Surrey
- I Could Have Dance All Night
- Sunday Kind of Love
Others:
- Improvised Boogie Woogie (A favorite of mine at these shows)
- Sweet at Home (Original Piano Piece)
- The Friday Wall of Fame (A spontaneous improvisation I surprised them with, arbitrarily named after a banner on the wall at the home saying “Veteran’s Wall of Fame”)
Oh yeah, I nearly forgot: At the end I also played “Happy Birthday” for one of the residents, and “For He’s a Jolly Good Fellow” for the Activities Director, since today was his last day working there.
I am most appreciative of the experiences I have had with my audiences, including today’s, because it allows me to shine my light onto others, which comes back to me in many positive ways.