Pianist Brings Charm of Classic Show Tunes to The Birches
Pianist Pat Woods performs his repertoire of Broadway show tunes and movie tunes from the 1950s and 60s monthly at The Birches Assisted Living in Clarendon Hills, as well as many other assisted and independent living communities in suburban Chicagoland.
Clarendon Hills, IL, November 11, 2015 --(PR.com)-- As a senior performing for seniors, 74-year old pianist Pat Woods enjoys bringing his audiences the music they love: classic show tunes.
Woods performs his repertoire of Broadway show tunes and movie tunes from the 1950s and 60s monthly at The Birches Assisted Living in Clarendon Hills, as well as many other assisted and independent living communities in suburban Chicagoland.
According to Woods, although show tunes have declined in popularity with younger generations, members of the eldest generation were in their young adult years during the heyday of great musicals and still very much appreciate a good show tune.
“We’re kind of in an era in which we don’t find many musicals anymore,” said Woods. “Occasionally one comes out that really takes off, but in the 1950s it used to happen every year— another great musical would come out from Rodgers and Hammerstein or Meredith Willson.”
Woods feels connected to the members of his audience because, although he is a bit younger, he still remembers the days when show tunes were at the height of their popularity.
“I can relate to the people I play for because of my age,” said Woods. “What really surprises me is their own level of recall when I play these songs. A lot of people who are in their 80s now were in their 20s or 30s when this music came out. So I’ll play a song and ask them if they recognize it and they’ll say, ‘That’s ‘Getting to Know You’ from ‘The King and I’.”
As a senior himself, Woods is thankful to have found a second career that fits his passions and personality perfectly. Although he learned to play piano as a child, he didn’t begin playing professionally until several years ago when he retired from his career in sales.
“I’ve been fortunate to have this job that I can do in my later years, and it has been a lot of fun,” said Woods. “You get to this particular place where you feel like you’re not going to be employed when you are in your seventies in any major capacity, but this kind of work is really up my alley. I’ve always been very musical, so I’m incredibly lucky to do it professionally.”
Woods learned to play the piano at age 10 from two nuns who were classically trained. One of the nuns was a concert pianist before she entered the convent and often treated him to performances of classical pieces by Chopin or Rachmaninoff after his lesson. These performances inspired his lifelong love of classical music, a love which eventually led him to attend a recital by one of the most revered pianists of the 20th century— Arthur Rubinstein. Woods was even fortunate enough to meet Rubinstein by chance at a bar after the performance.
“Arthur Rubinstein was my absolute inspiration,” said Woods. “I just loved the way he played. He had a very romantic style about him, and he could play anything— anything classical and, of course, any of the show tunes.”
Eventually Woods’ lifelong love of music and piano playing led him to playing professionally, but he couldn’t envision himself providing background music for uninterested shoppers in department stores. He decided, instead, to play at assisted and independent living communities, where he had a captive audience that shared his love for classic show tunes.
“I like to have an audience that is listening and appreciates it,” said Woods. “I don’t just want to play background music that nobody’s paying any attention to. I enjoy the interaction with the people. That’s why I’m doing what I’m doing.”
The Birches Assisted Living in Clarendon Hills offers professional services to support the physical, social, intellectual and spiritual growth of the older adults who make it their home. The Birches offers purposeful programming and activities designed to promote a healthy aging lifestyle and a strong sense of community. For more information about The Birches, call 630-789-1135 or visit: birches.net.
Woods performs his repertoire of Broadway show tunes and movie tunes from the 1950s and 60s monthly at The Birches Assisted Living in Clarendon Hills, as well as many other assisted and independent living communities in suburban Chicagoland.
According to Woods, although show tunes have declined in popularity with younger generations, members of the eldest generation were in their young adult years during the heyday of great musicals and still very much appreciate a good show tune.
“We’re kind of in an era in which we don’t find many musicals anymore,” said Woods. “Occasionally one comes out that really takes off, but in the 1950s it used to happen every year— another great musical would come out from Rodgers and Hammerstein or Meredith Willson.”
Woods feels connected to the members of his audience because, although he is a bit younger, he still remembers the days when show tunes were at the height of their popularity.
“I can relate to the people I play for because of my age,” said Woods. “What really surprises me is their own level of recall when I play these songs. A lot of people who are in their 80s now were in their 20s or 30s when this music came out. So I’ll play a song and ask them if they recognize it and they’ll say, ‘That’s ‘Getting to Know You’ from ‘The King and I’.”
As a senior himself, Woods is thankful to have found a second career that fits his passions and personality perfectly. Although he learned to play piano as a child, he didn’t begin playing professionally until several years ago when he retired from his career in sales.
“I’ve been fortunate to have this job that I can do in my later years, and it has been a lot of fun,” said Woods. “You get to this particular place where you feel like you’re not going to be employed when you are in your seventies in any major capacity, but this kind of work is really up my alley. I’ve always been very musical, so I’m incredibly lucky to do it professionally.”
Woods learned to play the piano at age 10 from two nuns who were classically trained. One of the nuns was a concert pianist before she entered the convent and often treated him to performances of classical pieces by Chopin or Rachmaninoff after his lesson. These performances inspired his lifelong love of classical music, a love which eventually led him to attend a recital by one of the most revered pianists of the 20th century— Arthur Rubinstein. Woods was even fortunate enough to meet Rubinstein by chance at a bar after the performance.
“Arthur Rubinstein was my absolute inspiration,” said Woods. “I just loved the way he played. He had a very romantic style about him, and he could play anything— anything classical and, of course, any of the show tunes.”
Eventually Woods’ lifelong love of music and piano playing led him to playing professionally, but he couldn’t envision himself providing background music for uninterested shoppers in department stores. He decided, instead, to play at assisted and independent living communities, where he had a captive audience that shared his love for classic show tunes.
“I like to have an audience that is listening and appreciates it,” said Woods. “I don’t just want to play background music that nobody’s paying any attention to. I enjoy the interaction with the people. That’s why I’m doing what I’m doing.”
The Birches Assisted Living in Clarendon Hills offers professional services to support the physical, social, intellectual and spiritual growth of the older adults who make it their home. The Birches offers purposeful programming and activities designed to promote a healthy aging lifestyle and a strong sense of community. For more information about The Birches, call 630-789-1135 or visit: birches.net.
Contact
The Birches Assisted Living
Jenny Smiechowski
630-789-1135
birches.net
Jenny Smiechowski
630-789-1135
birches.net
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