TU Music Students Live At Retirement Home, Perform For Residents

Two University of Tulsa music students actually live at a retirement home.

When they're not busy with their schoolwork, the two perform for the residents.

Music brings people of all ages together.

"I developed a real love for cultivating that skill and for playing in general," said Chance Jackson.

Chance Jackson and Shaun Roberts are both music education majors at the University of Tulsa.

But instead of living on-campus with their peers, they are living at Montereau, a senior living facility.

"I will say it's probably better than living in a dorm at TU with all the other freshmen that probably aren't as clean as me and Chance would be and probably aren't as respectful to their neighbors," Shaun said.

The two live there for free. In exchange, the students perform regularly and spend time getting to know the other residents.

"People are extraordinarily friendly, and everyone here has been so welcoming, and you know there's this stereotype of a retirement community being a bit dreary, mundane, a bit monotonous, but this is not at all like that,” Chance said. “It's exciting to meet these people. All of them are personable and genuinely engaging."

"Too often, there’s this barrier or youth are scared of spending time with seniors, but they are getting a unique angle and realizing that age is just a number," said Scott Neild, the President and CEO of Montereau.

Scott created the program in partnership with TU last year.

While Chance and Shaun agree it's been a great opportunity to finetune their skills, they've learned so much more.

"It's a great reminder of people constantly telling me this, to really enjoy my youth and to enjoy my time at Montereau and in college, and these are things your parents will tell you or your grandparents will tell you, but every time I talk to these people, they tell me a lot, and I think it's an important thing to be aware of and cherish," Chance said.

The residents can look forward to a holiday concert being put on by the students on December 27th.