Music to Their Ears

For 50 years, Piedmont Gardens has proudly served seniors in the East Bay, and for nearly as long, local, national and international musicians have shared their talents with residents through the community’s revered music program.

Every Tuesday evening, renowned jazz, folk or classical artists entertain a packed house as the performances fill the hearts and souls of dozens of residents and guests.

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“This is a very well-kept secret,” said Louis Weil, a resident at Piedmont Gardens the last 18 months and a lifetime melophile, or lover of music. “We have very diverse, high-caliber musicians playing here. We are incredibly blessed; this can’t be going on at other retirement communities.”

Weil grew up in New Orleans, and with his parents’ encouragement was exposed to the arts at an early age. He attended his first opera at 9 years old and never looked back.

“Music is like food – I can’t live without both,” he laughed.

As a pianist, Weil studied music at Southern Methodist University before earning a master’s degree from Harvard in early music. He then answered the call, entering a theology program in New York where he eventually earned ordination as an Episcopal priest. After doctoral studies in Paris, a career in the seminary spanned the next half-century. At every stop – Puerto Rico and professorships throughout the U.S. – music was a constant companion.

At age 80, Weil, then a professor of liturgical theology at the Bay Area Episcopal seminary, decided to explore senior living.

“Piedmont Gardens was certainly the most appealing community, and that was before I knew about the music program,” he said. “When I eventually heard about it, I said, ‘Boy, where have I landed?’”

The program has enlivened Weil, who hasn’t been able to play his beloved piano in recent years due to severe arthritis. He hopes to begin to play on his own again this summer, but remains grateful for the void filled by the community’s performances and his extensive record collection.

“I know each week we’re going to have great live music,” he added. “This truly is a remarkable community; I did much more than just change my address. I’m sure it’s good in other places, too, but I don’t know how it could be any better.”

Friday, June 21, was World Music Day. It was also the day Piedmont Gardens marked its 50th anniversary. The milestone celebration saw a week of 1969-themed activities and events culminate in a garden party with food, music from the era, and a dress code of — you guessed it — 1969.