Music Unites: Seniors to Seniors (MUSS) YWIM Initiative
Project Summary
YWIM received a New Horizon grant to deliver music programing to Yukon seniors through organized jam sessions. The main aim of this program, Music Unites: Senior to Senior program (MUSS), is to foster connections between marginalized populations and reduce social isolation in this age demographic. Though the Jam Sessions are focused on supporting seniors to build social networks, not all participants or instructors/leaders need to be seniors.
A project manager is needed to support and organize these Jam Sessions.
There are 2 phases for the MUSS program:
1) Introductory Music Jam Sessions
Each of the community groups (Queer Yukon, Whitehorse Legion, ElderActive, Thompson Care Home) will be contacted by the MUSS Project Manager to coordinate jam sessions. Each community group will have different needs, so the Project Manager will have to tailor the sessions to accommodate specific expectations. As an example, the Legion may want more of sing-along type of event where a few will play instruments. The Thomson Centre will have more scheduling requirements with some participants needing more support during sessions.
The session will be led, when possible, by senior YWIM members. There are four sessions per group; this helps the jam groups to bond and gives an opportunity to learn a small repertoire of songs. We anticipate 5 to 8 participants per session. The YWIM leaders will go to the extended care home to provide sessions. Queer Yukon and the Legion have their own space. Elderactive will need to book space somewhere. This phase should start in April and end in June 2024.
2) Jam Leaders Training
YWIM will support the lead participants to ensure group sessions become self-sustaining. People attending the Introductory Jam Sessions that are interested in leading and continuing jams will receive extra training and materials. Ideally, the groups may amalgamate into 1 or 2 groups and meet at regular intervals. This is an opportunity for the leaders of different groups to network with each other. The Thomson Centre care facilities will need to tailored sessions in negotiations with Andrea Simpson.
The leader jam sessions should start in early June or late May.
Full job description and budget information available: arlin@arlinmcfarlane.com or questions 336-2015