Nursing Homes Swing gives area seniors ... Moments to Remember

Eyes closed, toes tapped and a hand gently patted the arm of a sofa.

As pianist Hod O’Brien and clarinetist Dave Kannensohn played “Softly as in a Morning Sunrise” many of their listeners were transported back in time. Perhaps the jazz standard unbridled memories of an impromptu dance on a living room rug or the embrace of a loved one on a perfect moonlit evening long ago.

Each of the residents of Morningside Assisted Living community who listened to the recent concert had his or her own recollections. Afterward, each had new memories of something special shared.

“Well, it’s wonderful,” said a beaming Tom Bergin, during a pause in the music. “It takes me back many, many years.

“I’ve been a jazz enthusiast for a long time, but I hadn’t heard it since I’ve been here. So it’s a real pleasure to hear it now.

“And I have to confess, I was touched by the religious part of it as well. I thought the entire program was very moving and quite extraordinary.”

What Bergin and several dozen of his neighbors enjoyed was Nursing Homes Swing. The program, created last October by Bob Hostage, offers a religious communion and healing service followed by a concert of old-time swing and jazz music.

As a regular visitor to area nursing homes, Hostage thought music would be an ideal way to lift spirits.

“Oh, I’ve seen folks jitterbugging in their wheelchairs,” Hostage said as a smile brightened his face. “I’m just exhilarated to see what this program does for these residents.

“Nursing homes can be awfully lonely and quiet places. People in them are often bored out of their minds. They love music, and they love any attention you pay to them.

“In October 2006 I started organizing communion and healing services at the Cedars Nursing Home. Then last fall, I thought incorporating music into it would be a good way to lift their spirits as well, and I was right.”

Since retiring from his book-publishing business in 1993, Hostage has made serving the elderly his new occupation. He has been a volunteer with Meals on Wheels and Hospice of the Piedmont.

When Hostage launched the swing program, he sought out local amateur and professional musicians who would perform pro bono. O’Brien and Kannensohn were among the first to step forward, and they continue to do so.

But musicians have bills to pay, too, and Hostage quickly ran out of accomplished performers who

could repeatedly play for free. He needed help and sought out the advice of Peter Thompson, executive director of Charlottesville’s Senior Center.

Thompson helped Hostage get a $3,000 grant from the Better Living Foundation, which is allowing him to pay some of the musicians. Although he will continue to rely on musicians who will perform pro bono, the grant allows him to pay professionals.

“I’d like to be able to pay people what they’re worth, at least some of the time,” Hostage said. “I’m paying Hod and Dave for the first time today, but $100 isn’t very much for guys who are as gifted as they are.

“My goal is to grow this, attract more musicians and bring the program to more nursing homes. I have about eight Episcopal priests, both active and retired, who are willing to work with me and give the services.

“Doing this has given me a recognition of how people leading lonesome and quiet lives need attention, love, affection and music. It’s a great experience. I always get much more from the program than I give.”

The Rev. Janet McDonald officiated at the recent service. She has been aware of Hostage’s work with the elderly for years.

“Bob has been an inspiration at the Church of our Savior for many years,” said McDonald, who is working on her doctorate in arts and theology. “He has always had a passion for work with the aging.

“I think this program is an example of someone recognizing a gift they have for organization, for caring for others and then is able to put that together in a way that is a service to the community. People who have been out in the world, and then suddenly find themselves, for whatever reason, in a care community are hungry for the outside world.

“They are hungry for connections and companionship. Any time you bring the outside world and a caring face into a community where a lot of people are lonely, I think it makes a difference in their lives.”

During both portions of the program, Lakshmi Phelan-Hazur was seldom without a smile. She is an upbeat person by nature, but the concert nonetheless gave her an added boost.

“It’s very wonderful and soothing,” Phelan-Hazur said of the music. “I enjoyed it very much. It’s very calming, and I believe music is healing.

“My background is in nursing, and I know there have been many studies done that prove music relaxes one and actually helps the chemistry in the brain. It helps you harmonize with everything and the people around you.

“Music helps you be more receptive to life. This makes me joyful, and it gives me a chance to get together with the community here.”

O’Brien and Kannensohn were glad to get paid, but they both agreed their richest rewards come from their audiences. O’Brien said it would be hard to find more appreciative listeners than those they play for at area nursing homes.

“Sometimes the elderly might not be able to show they’re enjoying the music, but they are,” said O’Brien, who at the age of 72 has been playing piano for 64 years. “After we finish playing, they often have very positive comments to make.

“Music appeals to the soul. I’ve seen people with Alzheimer’s just come alive when we play. And we love to play.

“Bob is a jazz fan, and I love jazz fans. I’ll do anything for them.”

Kannensohn is 93 and echoed O’Brien’s sentiment about loving to play for an audience. The retired accountant said he stopped playing his clarinet for four years after moving to Charlottesville in 1992.

Local pianist George Melvin got Kannensohn back into the swing of things by letting him sit in with him at gigs around town. Now the nursing home swing program is giving him additional opportunities to perform.

“It’s wonderful playing these things, because most of these people like the music we play,” Kannensohn said. “You can play something, and someone will get real happy because that was their favorite song.

“That’s when we hit the jackpot. But just the fact that they want to listen makes me feel good.”

After the program, Hostage and his wife of 57 years, Jackie, both reflected on the joy they felt.

“The gratification I get from doing this is immense,” Hostage said. “Seeing the joy this brings to people is what keeps me going.

“I’ll be 80 in March, and I’ll keep doing this as long as I’m able. On my license plate I have ‘PR 16:9’ from Proverbs. ‘In his heart a man plans his course, but the Lord determines his steps.’

“I think I’m taking the right steps, and doing what I should be doing.”

Bergin couldn’t agree more. Like Hostage, he had a successful career before finding his true calling in life.

“I was a lawyer for many years on Wall Street, but then I decided I liked the academic world the most,” Bergin said before wheeling his chair off in the direction of his room. “I fought my way into the University of Virginia, and for many years served as a professor of law.

“I’ve never savored life as much as I did in those years. There wasn’t an hour of that time I didn’t cherish, and I still cherish the memories.

“I think what Bob is doing is marvelous. I can’t imagine him not taking an extraordinary pleasure from what he hands over to others in the form of music — and he does it so darn well.”

To learn more about Nursing Homes Swing or contributing to the program, call 973-3956 or e-mail jhostage @aol.com.