MUSIC TEACHING AND LEARNING COMMUNITY SERVICE PROGRAM – TEACHING MUSIC TO ELDERS

Abstract

This paper explores the teaching of piano to retired elders in the community by non-music major undergraduate students. It evaluates the effectiveness of the program on students’ personal development and their awareness of community service through reflections and self-evaluations from both students and elders. From recruitment, training and implementation, a group of students from different background participated in the volunteer service pilot program providing piano lessons to elders. Using music as a common language, they established a town-and-gown connectivity through the black and white keys.