With the support of funding from Canada’s New Horizon’s for Seniors Program, the Scarborough Philharmonic Orchestra is responding to a community need voiced by longterm care facilities. The benefits of live music to promote social interaction, lift spirits and spark memories is supported by medical research. We are looking for SPO Musicians interested in joining us for this pilot project.
This program will feature SPO musicians and a few others (e.g. a singer, pianist, or guitarist). It is a paying gig. Running from late August 2025 through March 2026, there are two components for the program.
- Each selected ensemble unit will present a one-hour chamber music event to an audience of seniors, which will be presented three times in three different Scarborough seniors’ residences. There will be approximately seven ensemble units selected for this program.
- One musician will visit a individual seniors who have serious health issues and would appreciate some attention through music and conversation.
Here are some details:
1. Musicians can choose to be involved with one or both programs. It is possible a musician could play for both programs in a single visit. These programs will be co-ordinated by Ted Runcie.
2. For the chamber music events:
- A small ensemble of 2 to 4 musicians will be paid for one rehearsal and three concerts. An individual musician will be paid for three concerts.
- Musicians will perform a program featuring accessible classical music and arrangements of more popular music (including movie tunes, Broadway songs, pop songs, etc.). There is a budget to buy sheet music for non-classical music.
- The program will include performing music and interacting with the seniors, which could include providing information about the music, talking to seniors, asking them to sing along to a popular song, Christmas music, etc.
- At the end of the event, musicians will ask for and record feedback from the seniors. This will be a short 5 to 7 min. session. Musicians will be given a form to work from.
- Chamber music concerts/events will occur mainly on weekdays, morning or afternoon. An occasional evening or Saturday concert is possible. It could be possible to book two concerts in one day.
3. For the individual senior visit program, musicians will coordinate with Ted Runcie for the specifics.
4. Please contact the SPO for specific pay information.
5. There will be a one-hour paid mandatory online training session for musicians involved in the program, to help you understand what the senior homes are looking for.
6. Musicians can apply as an individual or an ensemble.
