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Play it for Seniors
Student Music and Theatre Program with Seniors

Play It for Seniors presents Symphony of SmilesSM

Student Music and Theatre Performances for Seniors

We connect high school music and theatre students with senior living communities and senior centers for meaningful live performances. Students share their talents, brighten the lives of older adults and may earn community-service credit through participating schools.

Symphony of SmilesSM connects student musicians and educational organizations with senior communities. Participating schools and organizations are responsible for the supervision and permissions applicable to their students and participants, while host communities remain responsible for their facilities and residents. Play It for Seniors facilitates program connections and does not provide transportation or professional care services.

Investing in the Future

Building bridges between generations

Featured reading · The Power of Intergenerational Music

The Deeper Role of Music in Senior Living

Beyond Activity Programming

By José Valentino Ruiz, Ph.D., and Jesse Tillman Pitts

Published by the National Association for Music Education (NAfME),

The article explores how music can transform senior living experiences. Among its examples is a senior living community inviting local high school students to rehearse weekly with residents and prepare concerts together.

The authors also highlight resident-directed concerts, collaborative songwriting, and opportunities for older adults to participate actively in musical experiences.

Music brings generations together.

These ideas reflect the vision behind Symphony of Smiles, an initiative of Play It for SeniorsSM connecting student musicians and performers with senior living communities.

Our goal is to make it easier for schools and senior communities to create meaningful experiences together—through performances, musical collaboration, and lasting intergenerational relationships.

Read the Full Article on NAfME

Featured for educational purposes. NAfME and the authors are not affiliated with Play It for Seniors.

Student musicians & actors

Yamaha digital pianos give more students access to instruments and performance opportunities.

Senior communities & senior centers

Residents enjoy live, heartfelt performances from young people in their area.

A student playing a Yamaha digital piano during a school performance, with the Yamaha logo below

Building connections through music & theatre

Live music, laughter, and generations sharing the same room.

Senior residents applauding and singing along at a student performance
Student musicians laughing and shaking hands with a resident after a concert

Schools & music departments

Music and theatre departments partner with us to place student performers in nearby senior communities and senior centers.

Senior communities & centers

Host a student performance for your residents or members and add a fresh, intergenerational program to your calendar.

Students & families

Perform for an appreciative audience, build confidence, and earn community-service credit through participating schools.

Bring student performers to the seniors you serve

Tell us about your school, community or senior center and we'll help make the connection.

Partner With UsMeet our founder

Play it for SeniorsSM is a nonprofit organization.