Recently, a group of West Morris Mendham orchestra students had the opportunity to perform at a local nursing home. The event was organized by a member of the junior class, Sophia Keoskey. She described that her inspiration for the project was her grandmother “…as she said how much she’d love to see young people again, especially playing music.”

She organized rehearsals for members of her project to rehearse. Here, the musicians involved practiced each holiday piece and practiced count-offs to prepare for the performance. Sophia also made everyone matching T-shirts with the name of the project on the back. The project was called Music Through the Ages, and performed by the Music Mates.

Sophia Keoskey added that “Music is a very large part of [her] life. [She] finds that playing music on [her] own and producing it from [her] own fingers on her own instrument makes [her] proud of [her] accomplishments.” Since everybody cared so much about the music they played, audience members had a memorable time. Some began tapping their feet, clapping their hands, and singing along the more music went on. 

Overall, the performance was a success. As the musicians began to leave, one asked a resident their Christmas wish. She asked if they would come back in January to play for them again. The entire performance was full of joy and so heartfelt, as so many smiles were seen and so much happiness was spread.