Seniors Association brings music, dance, love of life to Confederation Park

June 28, 2019June 28, 2019 Tori Stafford 0 Comments

About 40 musicians, both professional and students through the Seniors Association, entertained the approximately 100 people throughout Confederation Park with a ‘Seniors Flash Mob’ on the afternoon of Friday, Jun. 28, 2019. Photo by Tommy Vallier.

For those that just happened to be in Confederation Park on Friday, Jun. 28, 2019, just prior to 3 p.m., what happened next may not have been what they’d expect – but it was happily welcomed by all.

There, the Seniors Association of Kingston Region had planned a ‘Seniors Flash Mob,’ bringing together some of the area’s well-known musicians, as well as seniors who have been taking music classes through the Association.

As 3 p.m. rolled around, there were about 15 small groups of two to three people, scattered throughout the park with instruments. With a band set up on the stage of the park doing a ‘sound check,’ as the clock struck three, they began to play When the Saint Go Marching In. The small groups throughout the park joined in and converged around the stage, with instruments of all sorts, as well as dancing, singing and clapping.

With roughly 40 active musicians and about 100 people in the park, spectators began pointing as more and more groups gathered at the stage, saying ‘Oh my gosh!’ and ‘Look! There’s more over there!’ And as the overall vibe of enjoying some music outdoors on a warm summer day spread, so too did the smiles on the faces of all in attendance.

Those on the stage thanked the local Long and McQuade for loaning instruments to some of those involved. In reality, the event served as an end-of-year concert for those seniors currently taking music lessons through the Seniors Association.

“The Seniors Association has more than 130 people taking music of some kind – guitar, uke, violin, vocal, jam sessions. These members have an enormous amount of talent and dedication,” said Clare Williams, Program Director for the Seniors Association of Kingston Region. “We wanted to show Kingston a part of the Seniors Association they might not have known about, while giving our members a chance to have fun playing in a really big group, with professional musicians helping out.”

Some of Kingston’s well known musical talents like, Mauricio Montecinos, John Torres, and Craig Jones led the group in song, offering the perfect ending to the Friday before the Canada Day long weekend for those involved and those who witnessed the event.

“Basically, it was an end of the year celebration of music, and proof that you’re never too old to learn and grow,” Williams expressed.

Enjoy a glimpse of the event through the slideshow below. All photos by Tommy Vallier.