By Cathie Faille
When I attended a meeting in Calgary about the International Year of the Older Person, everyone had different ideas on how it could be celebrated. Back in Canmore, discussing my thoughts with other seniors, I proposed a musical play about seniors, written by seniors and performed by seniors. Derek Howe was willing to arrange the music and rehearse the choir, Jean Slaght would be our accompanist, and I would write the play and most of the lyrics for the songs. Over the summer months, I managed to write the play and, with many ‘phone calls to Derek, humming tunes, banging rhythms on the desk, listening to the taped music over and over again, finally completed the revue just in time to begin rehearsals in October, 1999.
Everyone worked hard to make the show a success – and it was! Sold out in Banff and Canmore, with people phoning for tickets right up to the last minute. Two of the cast members and two of the choir were from Banff and hopefully, this type of revue will encourage more seniors to participate in the entertainment field.
I.Y.O.P – original words by Cathie Faille
Seniors, from sea to sea; seniors like you ‘n’ like me.
Seniors, helping one another to live in har-mo-ny-y.
Seniors, from sea to sea; seniors like you ‘n’ like me.
Seniors, helping one another to live in har-mo-ny
to-day.
Be a part of th’ I.Y.O.P. be a part of th’
I.Y.O.P.
Come join our group; come join your friends,
And be a part of the great I.Y.O.P.
The great I.Y.O.P. to-day. –
Look up to the sky; see the sun shining
through,
Grateful for all we can do. –
Seniors, from sea to sea; seniors, like you ‘n’ like me.
Seniors, helping one another to live in har-mo-ny-y.
Seniors, from sea to sea; seniors like you ‘n’ like me.
Seniors, helping one another to live in har-mo-ny
to-day.
