From Learning to Playing and Singing, Music Fills the Halls at Cedar Crest

On any given day at Cedar Crest, an Erickson Senior Living community in Pompton Plains, N.J., you're likely to hear melodies echoing throughout the community. 

That's because many residents brought their musical talents with them and love sharing their passion with neighbors. From groups and performances to individual lessons, there are plenty of ways for residents to enjoy the sound of music!

Weekly jazz

As a former school music director, organist, choir director, and performer, Fred Fischer's life has always been about music. 

Now, he shares his piano skills at the weekly Jazz at Village Square events, where residents enjoy music composed by jazz giants like Miles Davis and Dizzy Gillespie to Great American Songbook writers such as Cole Porter and Jerome Kern.

Along with neighbors John Prause, Elaine Thomas, and Marilyn Kaplan, he also plays at neighborhood happy hours, offering sing-along gems like "Ain't She Sweet."

John, a longtime accordionist and piano player, has provided a weekly Tuesday Evening Song and Dance gathering at Cedar Crest for many years as well.

Part of community life

Elaine, a graduate of Manhattan School of Music, appreciates the grand pianos in Cedar Crest's clubhouses and the Interfaith Chapel, as well as the "magnificent" Allen Organ.

"These instruments show that music holds a significant presence in community life," Elaine says. "In my 12 years at Cedar Crest, the opportunities to be involved in musical activities have been great."

Elaine has played for church services in the chapel and at Mountain View Gardens, the community's continuing care neighborhood. She is honored to be the accompanist for Cedar Crest Chorale, where performing organ and piano duets with George Swope has proven to be a crowd pleaser. 

"Being part of the happy hour team of pianists is a delight," she says. "And a newly formed Sunday Afternoon Music series allows classically trained resident musicians to share their talents with enthusiastic classical music lovers." 

Private lessons

Former music therapist Marilyn Kaplan made the move to Cedar Crest from New York 22 years ago. 

"I have a strong musical ear. If I hear it, I can play it. Luckily, my mother noticed when I was very young," Marilyn recalls. "I've been playing music as far back as my memory goes."

After settling into her residence, she started offering free piano and guitar lessons to residents. Currently, she leads a Parkinson's singing group.

"I started teaching guitar and piano, and I accompanied the Cedar Crest Singers for 10 years," Marilyn says. "What makes me happiest now is finding people who never played, who want to learn to read music. I still do private piano lessons."

Folk fans

Meanwhile, there are enough folk musicians and singers at Cedar Crest to form two different groups. 

Allan Mord, a former engineer and physicist, and Sally Novak, a former special education teacher, are guitarists who started a new "play-along, sing-along" folk group.

"We meet weekly on Fridays," Allan says. "We project songs on a big screen. People can come in knowing nothing, with nothing, and they're good. Or, if they come with a guitar or ukulele, the chords are on screen, along with the lyrics."

"The intention of the folk song club is welcoming drop-ins," he adds. "We want to encourage people to engage with music."

Song swap

John Sarna moved to Cedar Crest about five years ago, leaving behind the responsibilities of homeownership but bringing with him a lifetime of music. Another native New Yorker, he attended a progressive Greenwich Village elementary school.

"Folk music was a big part of our repertoire, so I grew up with folk music," John recalls. 

In the 1970s, John and his friend Pat Bogert, who is on Cedar Crest's Priority List, started singing with home-based folk music groups. "We sat in a circle and everyone, in turn, would sing a song or lead the group in one. Everyone would join in on the choruses, and the musicians would accompany the singing."

Now, he and Pat are trying to recreate them at Cedar Crest. They meet once a month for a song swap, which they call "The Circle of Songs." John and Pat also lead folk music history classes for the Cedar Crest Institute for Learning in Retirement.

'Engaged in music'

Fred, just like his talented neighbors, is delighted he found peers at Cedar Crest with whom to share his passion.

"It's important for everyone to be engaged in music, but it's especially good for seniors because the music, the songs, really connect with shared memories," Fred says.

To learn more about affordable, independent senior living at Cedar Crest, request your free brochure to get the scoop on amenities, floor plans, and so much more.