Groupon Grassroots Campaign

Posted on April 2, 2013 by Salish Sea Players

Salish Sea Players Logo

We’ve got some exciting news: We’re teaming up with Groupon Grassroots, the philanthropic arm of Groupon, to fund a project impacts our community–coming April 4th! Groupon Grassroots

Grassroots is a community outreach initiative within Groupon that brings people together to do good, have fun, and create positive change in their community. With this initiative, “Baroque Memories-Past & Present”, we hope to raise enough funds to perform at least 10 professional Baroque chamber music concerts, providing much needed social interaction and entertainment in retirement, nursing, and long-term care facilities in the greater Seattle area.

Since you are essential to our success, we want you to be the first to know about our campaign as we start our 2nd year of concerts and service to this deserving community. We have a tipping point of $300—that’s 30 people giving $10 each—after that, Groupon Friends at University House, WallingfordGrassroots gives 100% of the funds raised to the project!!

It’s important that we build momentum for our campaign—here’s how you can help:

  1.  Subscribe to Groupon (http://www.groupon.com/subscriptions/new) in Seattle before the campaign launch.
  2. Visit the Groupon site on April 4th, when the campaign launches.
  3. Be the first to give by supporting “Baroque Memories-Past & Present” and spread the word to friends,family, and colleagues, encouraging them to do the same.

We’ll keep you in the loop and send another update once the campaign launches. Thank you for your support!

What they’re saying:

“The Salish Sea Players came to Merrill Gardens at Northgate in December where I am the Active Living Director and gave a fabulous performance.  Our residents thoroughly enjoyed the beautiful music that they heard!  We invited the Salish Sea Players to come again in JanuarKing for a day at Merrill Gardens, Northgatey and they drew even more of a crowd this time.  As an entertainer myself, I recognize good and talented entertainers when I hear them.

Linda and Olga are without a doubt skilled musicians but are also good entertainers!   You could tell that they were enjoying the music by the way they played.  When they were finished playing, they circulated around the room to speak with our residents.  That in my book, is a mark of a ‘seasoned’ entertainer… when they not only make sure the listener enjoys the music, but also makes them ‘glad they came’!

I highly recommend the Salish Sea Players to any audience!  I guarantee that no one will go away disappointed after their great performance!”   ~Sandra Walker, Active Living Director, Merrill Gardens at Northgate

 “…the residents talked about your performance for days afterward, thank you for coming and good luck with your project.”   ~ B.J. Johnson, La Conner Retirement Inn

 

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Valentine’s Day 2013

Posted on February 15, 2013 by Salish Sea Players

The Salish Sea PlaSalish Sea Players logoyers performed a concert of violiLovely Ladies at University House in Wallingfordn duets last night as part of the Valentine’s Day celebrations at the University House in Wallingford. We were told that our audience would be smaller than normal because many residents were at the Al Gore event in Seattle (“we’re very politically active here!”) but we had a full house even so. And Valentine Friends University House 2013what a great audience-they were involved, attentive, and enthusiastic.

Several folks thanked us for coming because they were no longer able to get out to concerts. One gentleman told me that he had been a regular at the Seattle Baroque Linda and Ila at University House Feb 14, 2013Orchestra concerts in years past—“Baroque all the way” he said!

One big hit on the program was the selection of Béla Bartók duos that we played.  One lovely lady originally from NYC even remembered Bartók coming to NY in the early 1940’s.

Ila introduced us in interview fashion. Talking before the show she and I found out that we knew several people in common and that her son-in-law, John DeJarnatt used to play oboe in the Seattle Symphony. He and I even went to the same high-school though not at the same time (Lincoln Linx!!!)

I spoke with two lovely married couples who attended the concert last night. The first couple has been married Newly Weds, 3 Years--University House, Feb 14, 2013only three years—Newly Weds!–the husbanValentines for 70 Years!! University House Feb 14, 2013d having only recently moved to Seattle from Japan. The other couple has been married for 70 years! “Never had a real fight in all these years” said he. Wow!

I feel so lucky to get to meet such wonderful people. A lovely Valentine’s Day!

©Linda Melsted salishseaplayers.org  2013
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A Celebration at Merrill Gardens-Northgate

Posted on January 19, 2013 by Salish Sea Players

On JanSalish Sea Players logouary 17th Olga and I performed for the Merrill GardenAnniversary Cakes-Northgate crowd (the very first Merrill Gardens facility) as part of their 20th anniversary celebrations. All the Merrill Gardens facilities took part at the same time around the country and even in Shanghai!! There was a celebratory video, cake and Champagne, and a crowning of a King and Queen for the day (the two residents that have lived at Merrill Gardens-NoKing for a day at Merrill Gardens-Northgaterthgate the longest-both moving in in 1995).  It was a great partQueen for a day at Merrill Gardens-Northgatey!

It was not our usual concert format—at first there was a lot of commotion—(well, Champagne was flowing!). Olga and I started playing, talking only a little, and then noticed that there was a growing group of residents gathering closer to us so that they could hear us better. After the first hour we took a short break and gabbed with several of the people while the amazing Sandra Walker (Merrill Gardens-Northgate ActivitiesOlga & Monica at Merrill Gardens-Northgate Director) played at the piano. Then we jumped into our second hour.

The room was quiet for that Sandra Walker & Friends at Merrill Gardens-Northgatesecond hour of our concert and we had quite a crowd. We had fun sharing with them about the music and our instruments and one resident heard us from the hall and joined the audience (we were told he NEVER comes to any event) which made me feel very happy. I felt a little sad when it was time to say Good-bye but glad that the SSPlayers got to be a part of this celebration!

Donate through EMG

©Linda Melsted salishseaplayers.org  2013
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Holiday Cheer!

Posted on December 27, 2012 by Salish Sea Players

logo3b1aWeb-2-inchWe put together a Holiday program that includes the Corelli Christmas Concerto, a few charming Nöels set by Charpentier, and ending with some Christmas Carols: O Tannenbaum, Deck the Halls, and Silent Night. We like the whole program—it’s all beautiful, bright, cheerful music. Christmas at Emeritus Spring Estates 2012 When we get to the Carols at the end of the program, we ask the residents to join in with us. And they do–singing with real gusto! I get teary eyed hearing them sing.

We’ve been very busy this past couple of months: we put out our first Newsletter in November and started a fund raising campaign on Facebook — The  “Salish Sea Players December $1,000 Campaign.” (The last I heard,  we’re about half-way to our goal. Thank you to our new partners and thank you to our Facebook friends for putting up with us. Every little bit helps us to keep performing for this special audience!)  We’re planning our first Fundraising party on Bainbridge Island in January and we’ll be performing at the beginning of the next Recorder Society meeting in January, giving us a chance to let more people know about Linda and Friend at Emeritus Spring Estates Dec. 2012the Salish Sea Players mission.

But, you know, the most important part of all of this is meeting the residents of the Homes, sharing the music that we love so much, and having the chance to chat with them after the concert. We were at Merrill Gardens-Northgate the other day, chatting with the residents after the show and I was treated to one of those extra special moments that remind me of WHY we’re doing this:

A woman dressed in Christmas Red came up to me after the show, her eyes brimming with tears. “We don’t normally have such classy acts here,” she said.  I asked her if she had been touched by the music, if it had brought up memories. The tears began to fall and with difficulty she responded, “I had so many memories today – thank you so much for coming.” I gave her a big hug before she left.  We were all moved.

We wish you all a very Happy New Year filled with many special moments.

Donate through EMG

Read our Newsletter: Winter 2012

©Linda Melsted salishseaplayers.org  2012
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What Keeps Us Going–

Posted on November 26, 2012 by Salish Sea Players
wacky Olga

Wacky Olga

On HalSalish Sea Players logoloween we performed at the University House, Wallingford and we had a ball!! I believe our audience did too. For this Halloween show, Olga arranged a couple of “scary” pieces to add to our program (the theme from Alfred Hitchcock’s TV show {Gounod’s “Funeral March for a Marionette”} and a bit of music from “Danse Macabre” by Saint-Saëns). We also dressed up a bit for the start of the show (I always like being a witch!). The beautiful room was decorated with spiders and spider webs, bats, ghosts, skeletons and other spooky things. There was Halloween candy set out for the residents. Very festive.

After the show many residents came up and talked, looked at the instruments, or just lingered happily. My favorite comment was from an older gentleman: “Thank you so much for bringing this concert to us. I used to go out to concerts like this all the time, but now, I’m not able to go out.”

That comment is what keeps us going—knowing that what we are doing, bringing music to senior facilities of all sorts, is appreciated and, more importantly, needed.

After another show at the Stratford at Maple Leaf facility (November 19th), we were all touched by the many comments:

  • “We usually get concerts of popular music, and it is good—but this was really special!”
  • Asked, why did you like this (Baroque) music a resident answered: “This music made me a little dreamy, my mind could just float”
  • “I really enjoyed this concert—I’ve never heard music like this before”

Linda & Maria Peña

One very special conversation I had after this concert was with a lovely lady, Maria Peña, who grew up south of Laredo, Texas. She took me aside and said:

“I usually stay for only a couple of minutes at a show because I have a very bad back and sitting for any longer is very uncomfortable. But after a few minutes I knew I didn’t want to leave. I tried to sit as comfortably as I could so that I didn’t hurt too much. The music was so wonderful and brought back many happy memories of my childhood—I remember my two Aunts playing music on the violin and a strummed instrument (not an autoharp but maybe a Phonoharp-lm) and I would just sit in the yard listening to them play. I just loved it. That’s how I felt today. I know that I am going to pay for this tomorrow with back and leg pain–but it was worth it. Thank you so much for coming.”

Thank you Maria for staying!   

Donate through EMGPlease consider becoming a partner with us today. Any amount is appreciated.

©Linda Melsted salishseaplayers.org  2012
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Doodle

Posted on November 12, 2012 by Salish Sea Players

I just received a Doodle of the Salish Sea Players drawn by Ward Vaughn. Mr. Vaughn is a resident of the Ida Culver House-Broadview and he is a young 97 years old. He was at our concert in July 2012 and he made this little doodle of us. It was printed in the monthly newsletter. I was thrilled to see this and just wanted to share!

By the way, our first newsletter is getting put together. My sister is in charge! She has been such a big help to us–in so many ways. Thanks Sis!!! (you can sign up for the newsletter from this website) —Linda

©Linda Melsted salishseaplayers.org  2012
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Concert @ Ida Culver House, Ravenna–Olga

Posted on October 15, 2012 by Salish Sea Players

OCTOBER 11, 2012 (10-11-12!)

It was lovely to return to the scene of our very first concert, which was March 8, 2012!  (To date we have performed 16 concerts.)

The SSPlayers & the Toyota Echo

Ida Culver House, Ravenna is a very pleasant setting, the audience is so friendly and interested, the warm energy makes for enjoyable playing and spontaneous exchanges between listeners and players.  We were especially excited to be meeting Nancy Hellberg, the previous owner of our harpsichord.  She’d asked David Calhoun to get it back into playing condition so she could sell it; and David knew we were looking for an instrument that would fit into one of our cars.

David had been at our first concert, to transport and tune the harpsichord that he’d lent us and that did NOT fit into our car.  So we were very surprised to see David at our return engagement!

Three beautiful women!

The audience was as attentive as previously, picking up on some of our comments about the music and asking good questions.  I really enjoyed hearing the laughter during the Telemann Gulliver Suite, at the sudden ending of the very short Liliputian Chaconne and, in a later movement, when the introverted Laputians were getting whacked into consciousness by their servant “flappers”.

After the concert Nancy told us she was very happy to hear the improvements David had made in the harpsichord, and also to know that the instrument was not just being played, but being used in the service of a mission such as ours.  ©Olga Hauptman 2012

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Early Music Outreach

Posted on October 7, 2012 by Salish Sea Players

The other day I was making phone calls and sending emails to various senior facilities to book some shows. I had an interesting experience with one Activities Director in particular–

Merrill Gardens at Mill Creek

She and I were exchanging emails about the Salish Sea Players possibly coming to perform and she wanted a Christmas show with only Christmas Carols and the like. I was trying to explain that yes, we could put some Christmas music in the show but that we would keep the program primarily Baroque music.  She then asked sheepishly—“what is Baroque music?”

What fun!! I told her about the music and sent some links to examples of the music that we would be performing.  She LOVED the music and said her residents would LOVE it too!!  Now, she wanted us to come asap and it didn’t need to be just a “Christmas show” (we are going to include a couple of Carols and some seasonal Baroque music for them.)  This really is an outreach project and I sometimes forget that not everyone knows what Baroque music is. With the Salish Sea Players, we ARE introducing a new audience to early music– and not just the residents of these facilities but the Activities Directors too.

North Creek by Bonaventure

Also fun: Some photos that Olga has taken after a couple of our shows.  One is at Merrill Gardens at Mill Creek where I ran into Dick Skerlong, former principal violist with the Seattle Symphony. The other shot at Northcreek Retirement in Bothell shows Fred and a resident working at the harpsichord. The harpsichord seems to be a favorite wherever we play—it’s like a piano but doesn’t sound like one and someone always wants to touch it. —Linda Melsted

©Linda Melsted salishseaplayers.org  2012
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Post-Concert thoughts, Linda

Posted on September 17, 2012 by Salish Sea Players

At Ida Culver House-Ravenna: A small well-dressed woman waited until after the show and I was alone to approach me. She then shared that when she was a child she would play at the feet of her brother, a violinist, as he rehearsed classical chamber music with his friends. Our performance that day had brought it all back. She began to cry because she hadn’t thought of that memory for many, many years.

At Silverado Senior Living: At our second performance here, one woman in a wheel chair, her hands wrapped in bandages, and with seemingly no communication skills, was rolled up to the front of the audience right next to me. During the first piece I heard this sort of groaning and became worried that she was in pain. I looked at her and she seemed fine. When we stopped, she stopped her sounds. When we started playing again, she started her sounds again. I realized that she was singing!! I was so happy. After the show I went up to her and made eye contact and asked if she had enjoyed the show—She looked at me, eyes brightening, and nodded yes enthusiastically.

After that same performance I was treated to a very special moment. One of the residents, Maggie, was a pianist. The care giver had talked about what a wonderful pianist she was during both our shows there. We encouraged her to come on up and try out the harpsichord. She of course demurred and said, “oh, no—I’m not good enough”. After the second show, I followed her and the care giver out of the room. They went to a piano and he asked her to play for him—he said he loved “Amazing Grace.” Maggie said she didn’t know that one but fooled around on the keyboard, picking out the tune and trying different harmonies-sounding not so great-she stopped and then started playing the hymn in full harmony, flourishes, modulations—I couldn’t believe my ears—it was so beautiful. I was in tears by the end.

At Prestige Care: At our first performance here, I was handing out programs and greeting the residents as they came in. One petite woman in sweats in a wheel chair declined the program. I said “oh, are you going to stay for the show?” and she shook her head no, never looking at me. Well, she did stay, and after the show as she was being wheeled out I looked at her and she smiled at me and waved.

When we returned for a second performance, there she was again, but this time she enthusiastically grabbed the program. At the end, we were all talking and kidding around. I complimented her on her lovely purple outfit—she got a twinkle in her eye and said “you can’t have it!!” We all started to laugh.

At Ida Culver House-Broadview: We met an amazing couple here. They met and were married in their mid-eighties and had both just turned 101!!! I couldn’t believe it. Shows me how I must change my idea of what “old” means.

At that same performance a gentleman came up and really wanted to chat before the show. He said he was a violinist and also a maker of violins. During the show he sat near the front and enthusiastically applauded every piece. After the show, he came and talked with me some more. I let him hold my Amati and encouraged him to try it out. He was thrilled and played just a couple notes. A friend of my Mother’s lives there at Ida Culver and was present at the concert. She later told my Mom that this gentleman couldn’t stop talking about our concert and of holding my violin for many days after. —Linda Melsted

©Linda Melsted salishseaplayers.org  2012
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Concert At Prestige Care – September 7, 2012

Posted on September 17, 2012 by Salish Sea Players

On Friday afternoon, September 7th the violin duo of The Salish Sea Players performed for a choice audience at Prestige Care in Edmonds.  There were about 15 in the audience, mostly in wheelchairs.   The concert was in a dining room, and the audience was served treats.

SSPlayers at Prestige Care
Linda and Prestige Care friends

Though we focus on baroque music, this duo concert had only one baroque work,  by Leclair. We also played Mazas, Boccherini, and Bartok.  I was surprised by the enthusiasm of the listeners for the Bartok, but the five duos we played are quite energetic  dance-y music. The Boccherini also went over particularly well, and drew an appreciative “whoop!” from someone in the room!

We entertained some interesting questions. One person wanted to know about the difference between Minuet, Minuetto, Menueto….One woman seemed so enthralled that she asked if we thought she, at the age of 63, could learn to play the violin. (You’re never too old to learn, Linda said!) A visiting relative in the audience came up afterward to talk about his new project to learn the violin, and wondered why it made such scratchy sounds.  One man (at least one person!) was following the printed program and asked for clarification when he was confused by the applause between movements.  He thought maybe we’d played three pieces, but we’d just finished the third movement of the Leclair.  This man was interested in cultural things, and asked about Bartok’s nationality, and the nationality of Hauptman. He also asked us for our autographs!!!

The staff member who was bringing people into the room was very happy to have some classical music.  She said it was very rare there, and though everyone enjoyed more popular and up-to-date styles, classical music has very special qualities that the others do not.

This was our second concert at Prestige Care, and it was good to see familiar faces.  It’s also a very nice room acoustically! –Olga Hauptman

©Olga Hauptman salishseaplayers.org 2012
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