The Cookeville Senior Activity Center is accepting donations of musical instruments as the center hopes to create a new music program.
Executive Director Maxine Frasier said the center hopes the program can promote memory and wellness. Frasier said seniors requested programs centered around learning and performing music through singing and playing instruments.
“Music is a happy experience,” Frasier said. “Of course, we’ll be interested in music from our times, so it’ll bring back memories. Hopefully, happy memories. They’ll be included as a part of a group, they’ll be learning something new.”
Frasier said the center requests donations of karaoke machines and equipment for the singing and karaoke groups. The center also needs donations of ukuleles, harmonicas, drums, tambourines, recorders and triangles for the band.
“I bet there are plenty of people who have some musical instruments sitting around in a closet,” Frasier said. “They haven’t touched for years.”
Frasier said the center lacks the funding to provide music classes. Frasier said Tennessee Tech music students will assist with the programs, helping seniors learn to play the donated instruments. Frasier said Tech is one of many partnered organizations that partner with the center to teach classes at the center.
“This is a resource for them,” Frasier said. “If they have questions about anything that has to deal with seniors, if we can’t take care of it then we can tell them where to go and get them a phone number.”