Chartwell’s National Appreciation of Seniors initiative on June 16, 17, and 18th, 2009: It is encouraging seniors to participate in the third annual “Senior Star” singing and musical instrument competition
“Over 10,000 enthusiastic fans cheered on more than 1,000 participants in 71 competitions from St. John’s to Vancouver Island. Chartwell’s Senior Star contest has grown to be the largest celebration of seniors’ talent in Canada,” announced Brent Binions, president of Chartwell Seniors Housing REIT.
STARTFORD, Ontario / The Beacon Herald / Opinion / May 15, 2009
By Rick Whelan
During the late 1930s, wishing to escape what they feared would be a very dangerous and uncertain future, many elderly musicians fled Europe, which was quickly coming under the influence of Hitler and the Nazis. Many of these musicians landed in America and sought positions in the major U.S. orchestras.
I heard the story of one such musician, a violinist from Germany, who was auditioning for the Kansas City Symphony Orchestra.
For his audition he played something by Mahler.
After the audition, the conductor of the orchestra, who was in his late 20s, asked the elderly violinist why he played the piece so slowly.
"I've never heard Mahler played that slowly," complained the conductor. "Mahler must always be played with speed and energy. Where did you learn to play Mahler like that?"
"From Mahler," answered the violinist.
In a culture that worships youth, in our frantic race to be modern and up-to-date, are we perhaps neglecting a sector of our population that has gleaned over many years a certain wisdom for living.
I bet if you asked a few retired Wall Street veterans what they think of the current economic tsunami, they would shake their heads and tell us that common sense, the common sense acquired over years of observing the financial markets, told them we were going down a very dangerous path ... a path strewn with subprime mortgages, over-leveraging and credit default swaps.
(And if you think for one minute that I know what these last three terms mean ... then I've got a nice bridge in Brooklyn to sell you.)
Even when it comes to the world of entertainment, we are caught up in youth worship. American Idol is off limits to people "of a certain age" and actresses will readily tell you that when they hit the other side of 35, juicy roles become few and far between.
That's why it was so refreshing to hear of the Chartwell Seniors Housing REIT National Appreciation of Seniors initiative next month.
And as part of this initiative, Chartwell is sponsoring the Senior Star singing and musical instrument competition.
"In 2008, over 10,000 enthusiastic fans cheered on more than 1,000 participants in 71 competitions from St. John's to Vancouver Island," announced Brent Binions, president and CEO of Chartwell. "Chartwell's Senior Star has grown to be the largest celebration of seniors' talent in Canada."
The competition is open to anyone who is 65 and over and a Canadian resident. Contestants do not have to be living in a Chartwell residence.
Attention seniors: dust off that xylophone you played in high school and dig in the piano bench for the sheet music for In the Good Old Summertime ... this may be your big chance at celebrity status.
"Just when you think your performing days are over, this competition gives seniors an opportunity to be recognized and applauded for their talents," said Stouffville singer Lloyd Knight, the 2008 Senior Star winner. "Competing and performing again before a national audience at this point in my life has given me a tremendous sense of accomplishment, challenge and excitement."
I'm just a year shy of being eligible of the Senior Star competition myself ... but I've already got the little woman working on my costume for next year. I thought I'd do the Billy Crystal version of Stayin' Alive:
"Whether you're a brother
Or whether you're a mother ...
You're barely alive ... barely alive!"
After all ... you're never too old for sequins ... or stardom!
© 2009, Sun Media
