When two treasured entities of a community join forces, great things are destined to happen.
Such has been the case for GreenFields of Geneva senior living community and Elgin Symphony Orchestra (ESO). The two are collaborating on what is a mutually beneficial partnership. The program brings joy, music, and extraordinary interactions with professional musicians to the senior living community. On the other side of the partnership, ESO musicians can do what they love and do best: performing for and helping educate a captivated audience. The outcome is a vibrant cultural exchange.
GreenFields of Geneva is a luxury senior living community in Geneva, Illinois.
ESO, a professional orchestra in suburban Elgin, Illinois, has earned an exemplary reputation for artistic excellence and innovative programming.
Jeanne Sigman, a resident of GreenFields, has been instrumental in helping to build the relationship with ESO. Passionate about music, Sigman explained, “It has always been an important part of my life. Music is really my first love. It gives me joy, it’s relaxing, and it enables good congeniality and learning. It’s something everyone should have in their lives.” Enhancing the partnership with ESO is one way of making sure that music can, in fact, be part of the lives of all of her fellow residents.
GreenFields, which boasts a robust activities calendar, schedules bus trips to ESO concerts for residents. Some residents have season tickets; others buy tickets for concerts they’d like to attend. The trips allow them to experience the thrill of live orchestral music in the company of their friends and neighbors.
The partnership is made even more special, with the orchestra members regularly visiting GreenFields, bringing soloists and small ensembles to perform for them.
This part of the initiative doesn’t stop at performances. ESO’s musicians also engage with the residents through educational programs, during which they share their knowledge, answer questions, provide demonstrations, and even encourage residents to try out their instruments. These sessions offer residents a rare glimpse into the world of professional musicianship.
Marc Thayer, chief executive officer for ESO, explained, “Our musicians love to play for people up close in an intimate setting. They can talk and interact with the audience. Some people have never ever been in the same room with an acoustic instrument such as a cello. People are curious and interested; we love to talk about them and answer questions about how they work, how old they are, and where they were made. It’s important to us that people in the community get to see and know the musicians. It makes them more excited to go to a concert.”
For people who already love ESO, the fact that the musicians will come to GreenFields, their home, is amazing. For people who have not been to the symphony before, this is an exceptional opportunity for them to enjoy the experience. “We value the fact that the residents love hearing great music. The beauty of music and culture should always be in their lives. That’s important to us,” Thayer said.
“In addition to providing pure enjoyment, music has so many great benefits, and we’re proud to be able to offer this wonderful initiative to our residents, especially when musicians come here, to the residents’ home. It’s truly a blessing for everyone involved,” said Elijah Heyboer, executive director of GreenFields of Geneva.
