“Apples, Monsters and Skeletons” energized, invigorated and stimulated the Senior Champions of the Innovative Senior Champions Program. During this beautiful Autumn weather, the Senior Champions from Our Savior’s Lutheran Evangelical Church enjoyed a festive “Autumn” Theme music therapy sessions.
Our session began with a relaxing wellness and deep breathing exercise to an instrumental “September” Song. We were greeted with Apple Shakers and shook to the tune “Don’t Sit Under… the Apple Tree” by incorporating each person’s name.
Then word cards distributed and the senior champions solved a lyric puzzle completing the song “In the Shade of the Old Apple Tree” with their words. We then discussed sights, sounds, smells and feelings from the Autumn season; used their comments to write our own song. Then we drew a picture of something from Autumn on the sound shape drums. Responses and pictures included: “pumpkins, apple trees, monsters, falling leaves, whirling wind, and farm house.
We transitioned into singing and playing “Oh What a Beautiful Morning” on the Suzuki tone chimes and closed the activity by singing several verses. Lastly, the Senior Champions relaxed with a deep breathing activity to an instrumental “Autumn in New York: on the Piano. Reflective comments included: “festive, awesome, Relaxed, calm, wonderful, lovely, FUN, and fabulous!”
