Playing heartstrings

Deirdre Newman

The melodious sound of Bach and Mozart filled the elegant lounge

at the Inn at the Park nursing home in Irvine on Saturday afternoon

as residents were treated to a piano recital by a group of Newport

Beach students.

As sunlight streamed through the windows, residents luxuriated in

couches and armchairs while members of the Music Students’ Service

League passionately pounded out a variety of classical music

selections.

The league, a grass-roots organization formed in the Port Streets

neighborhood in 1995, is based on the premise that music has a

healing effect.

“It’s really a great thing and rewarding when you talk to

residents after the performance, and they tell you how much they

enjoy it,” said Andrew Wood, who has performed several duties for the

league in addition to playing the piano.

The league started with three piano students performing in

retirement homes and assisted living facilities in South County. It

recently expanded to include a Practice Assistance Program, which

helps youngsters learning the piano in their homes. One of those

students is a fifth-grader with Down Syndrome who is learning to read

music.

Seventh-grader Lauren Zelner, who lives in the Port Streets area,

helps Gina Lorenzi, who lives a block away.

“This area we live in is a very friendly community, and we serve

each other,” said Trudy Anshutz, piano teacher to Lauren and Gina.

“We’re good neighbors to each other. That’s why [the league] has

blossomed in this community, because everybody is wanting to help

everyone else.”

Since the league began helping her, Gina has composed her own

piano piece and performed it at the Music Teachers’ Assn. of

California convention in Riverside in June.

Andrew has been so inspired by his involvement in the league that

he founded “The Brighton Gardens’ Performers” at St. Margaret’s in

San Juan Capistrano, where he attends school. He and other student

musicians perform at the Brighton Gardens Assisted Living Facility

across the street from the school each month.

The league has grown so much that 26 students performed at the Inn

at the Park on Saturday. The residents there said they were impressed

with the students’ musical ability and generous spirits.

“I thought it was great,” Elizabeth Bardsley said. “I was on my

way to the library and just got detoured.”

* DEIRDRE NEWMAN may be reached at (949) 574-4221 or by e-mail at

[email protected].