September Is Classical Music Month

September is Classical Music Month and a great time to start a music therapy program for your residents.  Music therapy benefits residents in many ways including:

• Improved awareness and concentration
• Enhances interest levels and social interaction
• Improves memory and recall
• Happier outlook on life and higher self-esteem
• Increases mobility and coordination
• Diminishes pain and improves recovery time
• Reduces tension and promotes relaxation

There are many ways to go about creating a music therapy program (check the American Music Therapy Association website for more info) but no matter what method you choose you'll need music.  Here is a list of several popular symphonies to help you get started:

• Beethoven’s Symphony No. 5 and Symphony No. 9, “Choral 
• Tchaikovsky’s Symphony No. 6, “Pathetique” 
• Mozart’s Symphonies 35-41 
• Dvorak’s Symphony No. 9 “From the New World” 
• Mahler’s Symphony No. 1, “Titan” 
• Schubert’s Symphony No. 8, “Unfinished” 
• Haydn’s Symphonies Nos. 103 and 104 
• Shostakovich’s Symphony No. 5 
• Brahms’ Symphony No. 2.

We design and print activity calendars and newsletters!  1-877-CORWIN2
http://www.mycorwincalendar.com/
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Source: http://musicworkswonders.org/html/seniors.html

September: Facts, Observances & Ideas

September Facts:

• September in the Northern Hemisphere is the seasonal equivalent to March in the Southern Hemisphere and vise versa.
• September begins on the same day of the week as December every year.
• September's flower is the aster or morning glory.
•  September's birthstone is the sapphire.

September Observances and Ideas:

• Labor Day is September 5th; this holiday honors the nation's working people, typically with parades.
• National Assisted Living Week is September 11th-17th.
• Autumn Begins September 23rd.
• Rosh Hashanah (Jewish New Year - check calendar for date.) This day marks the beginning of the Jewish year 5766 and opens the Ten Days of Penitence, which close with Yom Kippur.
• Yom Kippur (Day of Atonement - check calendar for date.) This day marks the end of the Ten Days of Penitence that began with Rosh Hashanah. It is described in Leviticus as a “Sabbath of rest,” and synagogue services begin the preceding sundown, resume the following morning, and continue to sundown.
• Classical Music Month: If your residents like classical music play them tapes or CDs. Invite a local school orchestra to perform a concert.
• National Piano Month: Invite a pianist to come play during lunch or dinner; schedule a recital.
• National Hispanic Heritage Month: Encourage your Hispanic residents and staff members to speak about their heritages.