{"id":3374,"date":"2017-02-16T19:10:02","date_gmt":"2017-02-17T01:10:02","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.assistanceleague.org\/greater-wilmington\/?page_id=3374"},"modified":"2022-03-24T10:51:48","modified_gmt":"2022-03-24T14:51:48","slug":"slightly-off-key-stringalongs-2","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.assistanceleague.org\/greater-wilmington\/philanthropic-programs-2\/slightly-off-key-stringalongs-2\/","title":{"rendered":"Slightly Off Key Stringalongs"},"content":{"rendered":"

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]<\/p>\n

Singing brings out the smiles<\/h2>\n

The “Slightly Off Key Stringalongs” ukulele group entertains at assisted living and long-term care facilities in Brunswick, New Hanover and Pender counties from September to early May.<\/h4>\n

[\/vc_column_text][vc_separator color=”custom” border_width=”4″ accent_color=”#2c49a0″][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row full_width=”stretch_row” full_height=”yes” equal_height=”yes” content_placement=”middle” css=”.vc_custom_1597348827765{padding-top: 30px !important;padding-bottom: 20px !important;background-image: url(https:\/\/www.assistanceleague.org\/greater-wilmington\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/66\/2019\/10\/heart-871023_1280.jpg?id=5598) !important;background-position: center !important;background-repeat: no-repeat !important;background-size: cover !important;}”][vc_column width=”1\/3″][vc_cta h2=”410″ h2_font_container=”color:%232c4d75″ h2_use_theme_fonts=”yes” h4=”Seniors Entertained” h4_font_container=”color:%232c4d75″ h4_use_theme_fonts=”yes” txt_align=”center” style=”flat” color=”white” el_width=”xl” add_icon=”top” i_icon_fontawesome=”fas fa-users” i_color=”white” i_background_style=”rounded” i_background_color=”custom” i_size=”lg” i_css_animation=”appear” use_custom_fonts_h2=”true” use_custom_fonts_h4=”true” i_on_border=”true” i_custom_background_color=”#2c4d75″][\/vc_cta][\/vc_column][vc_column width=”1\/3″][vc_cta h2=”15″ h2_font_container=”tag:h2|text_align:center|color:%232c4d75″ h2_use_theme_fonts=”yes” h4=”Performances” h4_font_container=”tag:h4|text_align:center|color:%232c4d75″ h4_use_theme_fonts=”yes” txt_align=”center” style=”flat” color=”white” el_width=”xl” add_icon=”top” i_icon_fontawesome=”fas fa-microphone-alt” i_color=”white” i_background_style=”rounded” i_background_color=”custom” i_size=”lg” i_css_animation=”appear” use_custom_fonts_h2=”true” use_custom_fonts_h4=”true” i_on_border=”true” i_custom_background_color=”#2c4d75″][\/vc_cta][\/vc_column][vc_column width=”1\/3″][vc_cta h2=”70″ h2_font_container=”color:%232c4d75″ h2_use_theme_fonts=”yes” h4=”Songs spanning 100 years” h4_font_container=”color:%232c4d75″ h4_use_theme_fonts=”yes” txt_align=”center” style=”flat” color=”white” el_width=”xl” add_icon=”top” i_icon_fontawesome=”fas fa-music” i_color=”white” i_background_style=”rounded” i_background_color=”custom” i_size=”lg” i_css_animation=”appear” use_custom_fonts_h2=”true” use_custom_fonts_h4=”true” i_on_border=”true” i_custom_background_color=”#2c4d75″][\/vc_cta][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_separator color=”custom” border_width=”4″ accent_color=”#2c49a0″][vc_column_text]<\/p>\n

Slightly Off Key Stringalongs is the brainchild of Carol Moser, who first heard a ukulele band at a National Assistance League conference in 2009. \u00a0She taught herself how to play \u201cAin\u2019t No Bugs On Me\u201d and then rewrote the song to become \u201cThere Ain\u2019t No Gals Like Us,\u201d which is now the theme song.<\/p>\n

Although our group primarily sings and plays ukuleles, six members play banjos and others play percussion, including a gut bucket made by one of our members. \u00a0We play our kazoos for some songs, to add to the fun. Our hospitality coordinator(s) ensure that we have song books available for the residents; welcome our guests; distribute song books, flags, and birthday leis; and encourage guests to join in the fun by singing along, clapping their hands, and tapping their feet.<\/p>\n

We play a wide selection of songs from the early 1900s to present including seasonal songs throughout the year.\u00a0 Some examples include \u201cTake Me Out to the Ballgame\u201d (1908), \u201cCarolina in the Morning\u201d (1922), The Beatles \u201cWhen I\u2019m 64\u201d (1967), John Denver\u2019s \u201cCountry Roads\u201d (1971), \u201cSan Francisco Bay Blues\u201d (1976), a big favorite of ours, \u201cElvira\u201d (1981), and our own rendition of Patriotic Melody honoring the five branches of the US Military.<\/p>\n

This philanthropic outreach program touches the hearts of so many individuals, but, in truth, it makes our members think of the song \u201cAin\u2019t We Got Fun\u201d![\/vc_column_text][vc_separator color=”custom” border_width=”4″ accent_color=”#2c49a0″][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row equal_height=”yes”][vc_column width=”1\/4″][vc_column_text]
\nThe Magic of Music<\/strong><\/p>\n

After a SOKS performance, a man with tears in his eyes stopped a few of the ukulele players to tell them he had not seen his Dad so animated in years. He thanked us and said, \u201cYou are amazing.\u201d<\/p>\n

After another performances a resident approached a member saying that she had been blessed twice that day<\/em>.\u00a0 The first blessing<\/em> was when she led her prayer group and her second blessing<\/em> was when she listened to SOKS play![\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][vc_column width=”1\/2″][vc_single_image image=”4971″ img_size=”large” alignment=”center” style=”vc_box_outline” border_color=”black”][vc_column_text][\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][vc_column width=”1\/4″][vc_single_image image=”3556″ style=”vc_box_outline” border_color=”black” css=”.vc_custom_1589483349981{margin-top: 40px !important;}”][vc_column_text]Our members often end our performances with tears in our eyes when audience members stand and wave their flags for our final song, \u201cGod Bless America.\u201d[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column width=”1\/3″][vc_separator color=”custom” border_width=”4″ accent_color=”#2c49a0″][vc_column_text]Slightly Off-Key Stringalongs<\/p>\n

The Slightly Off-Key Stringalongs, our singalong ukulele troupe that usually performs for hundreds of seniors in care facilities each year, have been unable to entertain seniors due to facility restrictions during the pandemic.\u00a0\u00a0 Searching for something they could do that would brighten the lives of seniors, members decided to make holiday gift bags for residents of one facility who were not expected to receive gifts.\u00a0 Slightly Off-Key Stringalongs used their performing budget for the year and many members contributed additional items, then five volunteers gathered in a cold garage to wrap and box and bag everything.\u00a0 Each care bag includes a soft warm fleece blanket, a pair of slipper socks, personal care products, snacks, a snuggly Assistance League teddy bear and a beautiful handmade card.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 To keep warm while having fun packing the gifts, the group enjoyed a propane fire pit where they roasted marshmallows to make S\u2019mores after the job was done![\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][vc_column width=”1\/3″][vc_separator color=”custom” border_width=”4″ accent_color=”#2c49a0″][vc_single_image image=”6121″ img_size=”full” alignment=”center” style=”vc_box_outline” border_color=”black” css=”.vc_custom_1608059087702{margin-top: 50px !important;}”][\/vc_column][vc_column width=”1\/3″][vc_separator color=”custom” border_width=”4″ accent_color=”#2c49a0″][vc_empty_space height=”30px”][vc_single_image image=”6122″ img_size=”full” alignment=”center” style=”vc_box_outline” border_color=”black” css=”.vc_custom_1608059071793{margin-top: 50px !important;}”][vc_single_image image=”6869″ img_size=”full” alignment=”center” style=”vc_box_outline” border_color=”black”][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_row_inner][vc_column_inner][vc_separator color=”custom” border_width=”4″ accent_color=”#2c49a0″][vc_column_text]<\/p>\n

\u201cMy mother hasn\u2019t sung in four years, and hasn\u2019t spoken in three months, but she sang the songs today!\u201d<\/h4>\n

[\/vc_column_text][vc_text_separator title=”One very grateful daughter” color=”custom” border_width=”4″ accent_color=”#2c49a0″][\/vc_column_inner][\/vc_row_inner][vc_video link=”https:\/\/youtu.be\/uTRWgx6Rh4Y” el_width=”50″ align=”center”][vc_column_text]<\/p>\n

Everyone knows the words to Jingle Bells<\/p>\n

[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_text_separator title=”Serving New Hanover, Brunswick and Pender Counties since 2008″ color=”custom” border_width=”4″ accent_color=”#2c49a0″][\/vc_column][\/vc_row]<\/p>\n<\/div>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text] Singing brings out the smiles The “Slightly Off Key Stringalongs” ukulele group entertains at assisted living and long-term care facilities in Brunswick, New Hanover and Pender counties from September to early May. [\/vc_column_text][vc_separator color=”custom” border_width=”4″ accent_color=”#2c49a0″][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row full_width=”stretch_row” full_height=”yes” equal_height=”yes” content_placement=”middle” css=”.vc_custom_1597348827765{padding-top: 30px !important;padding-bottom: 20px !important;background-image: url(https:\/\/www.assistanceleague.org\/greater-wilmington\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/66\/2019\/10\/heart-871023_1280.jpg?id=5598) !important;background-position: center !important;background-repeat: no-repeat !important;background-size: cover !important;}”][vc_column width=”1\/3″][vc_cta […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":19782,"featured_media":0,"parent":980,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"_exactmetrics_skip_tracking":false,"_exactmetrics_sitenote_active":false,"_exactmetrics_sitenote_note":"","_exactmetrics_sitenote_category":0,"footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-3374","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.assistanceleague.org\/greater-wilmington\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/3374","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.assistanceleague.org\/greater-wilmington\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.assistanceleague.org\/greater-wilmington\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.assistanceleague.org\/greater-wilmington\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/19782"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.assistanceleague.org\/greater-wilmington\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=3374"}],"version-history":[{"count":6,"href":"https:\/\/www.assistanceleague.org\/greater-wilmington\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/3374\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":6885,"href":"https:\/\/www.assistanceleague.org\/greater-wilmington\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/3374\/revisions\/6885"}],"up":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.assistanceleague.org\/greater-wilmington\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/980"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.assistanceleague.org\/greater-wilmington\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=3374"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}