Every month, the Greater Princeton branch of AYLUS (GPA) volunteers, who are primarily middle and high school students, gather at Brookdale Senior Living in Hillsborough, New Jersey (600 Auten Road; Community 908-431-1300), to put on a one hour long concert for a senior audience, bringing talent, charisma, and joy to the seniors.
During these concerts, AYLUS invites around 12 of its members to put on a show, whether it be singing, dancing, or playing a musical instrument. During these performances, people have shown off their skills at the piano, violin, cello, and even traditional Chinese instruments such as the Chinese zither. Not only is performing at these shows a great volunteering opportunity, but it’s also a chance for teens to showcase their musical ability to a wider audience.
However, the concerts are not simply the work of the performers; there is much more additional work that goes on behind the scenes. This is the job of the concert hosts: to do the organizational tasks to make sure that the event runs smoothly.
For instance, as early as a month before the next concert, they make announcements to ask AYLUS members to sign up to perform. The spots fill up extremely quickly, and there are often even a few people on the waiting list. After they finalize the list, a program list of each month’s concert must be designed and printed so it can be handed out to the audience during the performance.
That’s the work of the hosts before the concert begins, but during the concert, the hosts are also responsible for introducing and welcoming every performer, opening and closing the entire concert, as well as cultivating a friendly and enjoyable environment.
Everyone’s hard work eventually pays off during the performance, where both the performers and hosts can watch the seniors smile, clap, and experience the excitement of everyone’s musical talent.
GPA Music Committee Chairs Alexia Fang (5/12, 3 hrs), Jingxin Zhong (5/12, 2 hrs), and Katherine Zhu (5/12, 2 hrs) called for performers, assembled the music, designed a program flier, and brought in music stands and speakers.
AYLUS Performers & Volunteers (5/19, 3 hrs for all): Alexia Fang (performer & host), Jingxin Zhong (performer & host), Catherine You, Melanie You, Yitong Huang, Mechelle Jin, Eric Sigalov, Angela Butz, Brauden Jiang, Gloria Wang, Leia Levarek, Katherine Zhu (asst. host).
GPA Volunteers at the Merkin Hall Apex Concert (5/25, 8 hrs): Jerry Chen, Chenhao Luo, Wang Fan, Melissa Yan
