Welcome to the Piano World Piano Forums Over 3 million posts about pianos, digital pianos, and all types of keyboard instruments. Over 100,000 members from around the world.
Join the World's Largest Community of Piano Lovers
(it's free)
It's Fun to Play the Piano ... Please Pass It On!
Agnes Warren has played the piano since she was a child and has a repertoire of thousands of songs.
They're all stored safely in her memory, dating back to before
she was born - more than 101 years ago.
The fact that her music selection goes back so far is important to the seniors at The Oaks adult daycare center in Ann Arbor, where many find it easier to remember the words of a 60-year-old song than what they had for lunch that day.
Warren, of Ann Arbor, was 84 when she started volunteering through the Catholic Social Services Retired and Senior Volunteer Program to play at The Oaks and several senior residences around Ann Arbor.
She'll be honored on June 19 as the oldest active volunteer in RSVP, a 600-volunteer program.
My Keyboards: Estonia L-190, Roland RD88, Yamaha P-80, Bilhorn Telescope Organ c 1880, Antique Pump Organ, 1850 concertina, 3 other digital pianos ------------------------- My original piece on BandCamp: https://frankbaxtermrpianoworld.bandcamp.com/releases
Me banging out some tunes in the Estonia piano booth at the NAMM show...
So if she's 101, and started to play as a child, that means she's been playing probably for over 90 years... she just may be one person we try to graduate from the Adult Beginners Forum.
I would have liked to see a vid or a pic of her playing. There's no chance I'd get to that grand old age but if I did I would want to be like her. Just think how much the piano has evolved since she started playing (technology wise). I wonder what she would make of my Fantom X
That's wonderful - you go girl!I can picture myself doing exactly that (even at 71) - I wonder if she plays any of that very energetic ragtime stuff by Scott Joplin - come to think of it she is old enough to have seen and heard Joplin live and in person!
Regards, JF
Every difficulty slurred over will be a ghost to disturb your repose later on. Frederic Chopin
Current favorite bumper sticker: Wag more, bark less.
The reason why I mentioned "did you notice" is that I did not notice the links the first time I read the topic. I did notice then upon reading it again, thinking it was strange there wasn't a picture or the article itself. I was amazed I had missed them there in plain sight. Then I posted about finding it. I thought perhaps someone else might have missed it, too. My posting was meant to be a helpful gesture.
There's hope for me. As a matter of fact, Mrs. Warren's story is an inspiration to ANYONE growing older, not just pianists. The fact that she has retained so much in her 101-year-old mind boggles my 55-year-old mind.
Originally posted by Betty Patnude: Thank you Key Notes,
The reason why I mentioned "did you notice" is that I did not notice the links the first time I read the topic. I did notice then upon reading it again, thinking it was strange there wasn't a picture or the article itself. I was amazed I had missed them there in plain sight. Then I posted about finding it. I thought perhaps someone else might have missed it, too. My posting was meant to be a helpful gesture.
Betty
No problem Betty. Thank you very much for the clarifications. Have a lovely day!
Frank, thanks for sharing this article with us. And Oxford Gal, thanks so much for finding that video!! My goodness, that made my day!
There are so many things that go through my mind as I listen to her play, and talk. She is obviously very present, very clear and very sharp. It can't be a coincidence that she also plays the piano and clearly has an incredible memory. And music is clearly a way for her to connect with people, and enjoy life.
Well, she's just about the best role model I can think of. And she's also, in my opinion, a very compelling argument for two things: 1) expanding one's repertoire (I think I need variety if I'm going to be playing for the next 60 years!) 2)and of course, for memorizing pieces.
Ok, I am off to send to article and video links to everyone I know! What a treasure!
Started piano June 1999. Proud owner of a Yamaha C2
![[Linked Image]](https://www.pianoworld.com/ABF_Medals/20xmedals.jpg)
![[Linked Image]](https://www.pianoworld.com/ABF_Medals/10xmedals.jpg)
![[Linked Image]](https://www.pianoworld.com/ABF_Medals/4medals.jpg)
![[Linked Image]](https://www.pianoworld.com/ABF_Medals/9medals.jpg)
![[Linked Image]](https://www.pianoworld.com/ABF_Medals/medal_c_3.jpg)