One of my greatest joys is researching songs for the older adult exercise program I teach in Toronto, Canada called Swingin’ Fitness and the seniors entertainment duo I perform in called Fit as a Fiddle. I thought a blog would give me the opportunity to share some of our participant and audience favourites and over time I will suggest some musical gems that have taken a little more effort to uncover.
The demographic we cater to is 55 plus with a polite emphasis on the plus. Typically music of the forties, fifties and the very early sixties are the best choices. Songs from this time period reflect the soundscape of their lives ultimately creating a powerful emotional connection.
You can check out this wonderful song here.
That being said, my very first song of the week choice is a world wide timeless classic. Doris Day’s renowned version of “Whatever Will Be Will Be” (Que Sera, Sera) which was interestingly first introduced in the Alfred Hitchcock film, “The Man Who Knew Too Much, always receives a positive reaction from our audiences. From the moment they realize what song we are playing they spontaneously begin to sing-a-long without any prompting and most of them know every single word. There is nothing more rewarding than a room full of smiling people singing their hearts out.