SUBMITTED STORY
I started by taking a ukulele class at Mount Wachusett Community College. I had missed the first session but since I was a former guitar player, the instructor said to come to the second session anyway. I loved it!! As the classes came to an end I thought – I thought, is this it??
I took the contact info of the instructor and people in the class. Together with Denise MacAloney, the former Westminster Town Clerk, we were able to secure time at the Senior Center to try an open strum with the contacts I had.
We needed more people. I asked the instructor if she would run an evening and morning class at the Senior Center. I later found out that some seniors wanted to try it but were not able to pay for the lessons, let alone purchase a ukulele.
I put a note on Facebook for people who may have ukuleles gathering dust at home to consider donating them to the center. Next I approached the Westminster Cultural Council with a grant application that I hoped would allow us to purchase a few ukuleles and pay for half the cost of the instructor. When the grant was approved, we slowly started to grow.
I approached the Senior Center to put a note inviting people who may want to just sing with us. We were then invited to sing a few songs at the Senior Center Christmas party and word slowly got out.
I tell everyone, when they enter our room, you’re entering a no judgment zone. We’re all there to have fun. Word of mouth has brought beginner players from around the area. Aside from Westminster residents, some come from Gardner, Ashburnham, Hubbardston, Princeton, Winchendon, Templeton, Sterling, Clinton, Lancaster and Worcester. Now through word of mouth we are invited to play for other senior centers and assisted living facilities. We love sharing the fun!
Music is a great way to connect people. Music awakens the soul. My mother was in a nursing home and for her last year or so she entered into a non-verbal state of dementia. For her 100th birthday, I brought in my ukulele and started to sing to her, in her native language. She came alive and we knew she was in there! Music can be magical.
Do you have a ukulele collecting dust, that you’re willing to donate? We can always use more! Are you interested in finding out more, or joining the Westminster Strummers? Contact Jo Grant at jofgrant@gmail.com.
THIS STORY SUBMITTED BY: Jo Grant
