Musical Memories Residency Program

The Musical Memories Program seeks out students with strong performance skills to build a residency with memory care patients at Burcham Hills Retirement Community. The program funds the placement of two chamber groups—current music majors at MSU—within Burcham to build relationships with residents and create a concert based on conversations with residents. Student ensembles of 2-6 persons are eligible.

The program is made possible with the generous support of Kristine Steensma.

To Apply:
Interested groups should send a group cover letter and group OR individual resumes to Christine Beamer: beamerch@msu.edu. These documents should detail performance and outreach experience, and how applicants' skills and expperience match program goals. Resume should list at least one reference to speak to performance ability and how applicants' skills and experience match program goals.

Applications are due December 12, 2019. 

Spring 2020: Details

Program Details: 
Program participants will work with Burcham Hills and College of Music staff to create individualized performance residencies with memory care patients during Spring 2020.

Program participants will meet weekly with Christine Beamer throughout the semester to learn and discuss how to develop residency programs for older adults. 

Program participants will be coached weekly by Yvonne Lam (strings) or Tasha Warren (wind/brass) or select a coach of their choice. 

The Progam is seeking applicants with a high level of performance ability as well as an interest in engaging with memory care patients and developing a residency program template they could use in their careers. 

Program duties: 
Program participants will develop three concerts-two 25 minute concerts, and one 50 minute concerts-that help memory care patients to connect to music through performance and activities. Program participants will implement these engagement concerts in an elder care facility with memory care (dementia) patients, supervised by Burcham Hills staff. 

Who can apply: 
Graduate or undergraduate students within the College of Music majoring in classical performance, music education, or bachelors of arts in music.

Students must apply as a group (2-6 students). Both traditional (i.e. woodwind trio, vocal quartet, string quartet) and non traditional (mixed) groups are welcome. Groups do NOT have to have a history of playing together prior to applying to the residency.

Financial Award: $515 per student for the semester

Number of openings: 2 groups

Time commitment:

• Weekly meetings with Christine Beamer and guest experts (1-2 hours per week)
• Site visits with Burcham Hills residents (6 weeks of visits, 2 hours per visit)
• Weekly coachings on repertoire (1 hour per week)
• Independent rehearsal/planning time with your group
• Total time commitment: 4-6 hours per week

Spring 2019 Required Availability: 
Meetings will be scheduled according to the availability of the groups, but groups must have at least four hours per week available between 8:00am and 5:00pm.