'Make people happy': Musicians work to bring live music to retirement homes
There has been a recent push to introduce live music to seniors homes in order to make life a little brighter.
Walter Ostanek is a well known accordion player from St. Catherines who takes time to play at seniors homes while on tour.
“I try and make people happy and when they’re happy, they make me happy,” Ostanek told CTV News.
Two organizations are making it part of their mission to fund concerts for seniors, Concerts in Care and the Music Performance Trust Fund.
The seniors enjoy the music while musicians are fairly compensated for their work.
“We’ve been doing it all through the pandemic. We have masked up, we have been tested at the front door and they won’t let us in a lot of times unless we are absolutely sure that we don’t have COVID. We don’t mind that at all," said Brian Sklar.
“We want to stay healthy and we want to keep them healthy.”
Concerts in Care has provided over two thousand performances at seniors homes in Ontario and has branched out to other provinces like Saskatchewan where it has teamed up with the musicians union.
“It’s a great idea. They came here during COVID-19 and played outside and I think it did a lot for all of us,” said Patricia Popescul, who was present for the show.
By the end of each performance, it’s common for everyone to be on their feet, as the music brings joy to seniors who faced limited entertainment options during the pandemic.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Minister 'outraged' after AFN national chief's headdress taken from Air Canada cabin
The federal minister of Crown-Indigenous relations is calling on Air Canada to 'make things right' with the national chief of the Assembly of First Nations, who said her headdress was removed from an airplane cabin during a flight this week.
Sophie Gregoire Trudeau on navigating post-political life, co-parenting and freedom
Sophie Gregoire Trudeau says there is 'still so much love' between her and Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, as they navigate their post-separation relationship co-parenting their three children.
'Violation': CSIS had officer investigated after she reported a superior raped her
A CSIS officer's allegations that she was raped repeatedly by a superior in agency vehicles set off a harassment inquiry, but also triggered an investigation into her that concluded the alleged attacks were a “misuse” of agency vehicles by the woman.
'Too young to have breast cancer': Rates among young Canadian women rising
Breast cancer rates are rising in Canada among women in their 20s, 30s and 40s, according to research by the University of Ottawa (uOttawa).
'I was scared': Ontario man's car repossessed after missing two repair loan payments
An Ontario man who took out a loan to pay for auto repairs said his car was repossessed after he missed two payments.
Canada recognizes housing as a human right. Few provinces have followed suit
As more Canadians find themselves struggling to afford or find housing, the country's smallest province is the only one that can point to legislation recognizing housing as a human right.
Charlie Woods, son of Tiger, shoots 81 in U.S. Open qualifier
Charlie Woods failed to advance in a U.S. Open local qualifying event Thursday, shooting a 9-over 81 at Legacy Golf & Tennis Club.
Taylor Swift dons Montreal designer's dress in 'Fortnight' video
A pair of Montreal designers' work has now been viewed over 41 million times. Taylor Swift dons a Victorian throwback black gown in her latest music video, 'Fortnight', designed by UNTTLD due Simon Belanger and Jose Manuel Saint-Jacques.
What to know about avian influenza in dairy cows and the risk to humans
Why is H5N1, or bird flu, a concern, how does it spread, and is there a vaccine? Here are the answers to some frequently asked questions about avian influenza.