Still Playing Piano at 101

Wednesday, May 21, 2008
BY SUSAN L. OPPAT
© The Ann Arbor News

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.

The Read the Rest of the Story [/b]

What a wonderful lady. That's just the way I want to be when I'm 101 years old.

I want to be like her

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.

What an inspiration !!!!!!

AspenX

The story is heartwarming. An encouragement to all who play the piano.

- Mark

What a great story and great lady. Along with the article, it would have been neat to see a video of her playing!

Tina

Such an inspirational story. Thanks for sharing. Here's to Warren and another 101 years for her and her fantastic spirit.

Cheers!

Key Notes

Hmmm, wonder how she did that?

Still it's a great achievement. I'd love to be like her too, but fear the great achievement for me will be to make it to 81 -- forget about 101.

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

Did you notice?

I hope everyone who posted so far had a chance to read this article!

There is a link to the 3 page article in full by clicking on "The Ann Arbor News" in the 1st posting at the top.

Wednesday, May 21, 2008
BY SUSAN L. OPPAT
© The Ann Arbor News


Agnes Warren, I think you are an ^^Angel^^ of Music!

Regards!

Betty

A very nice article. Yes, I did read it before I post a comment.

Key Notes

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

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.

No problem Betty. Thank you very much for the clarifications. Have a lovely day!

Best regards,

Key Notes

Bless her heart!!! I found a sight with a video of her

http://videos.mlive.com/annarbornews/2008/05/agnes_warren_and_her_music.html

I like when she said no music on the piano..it looks messy! what a memory!

There was an article a few months back in my local paper with a man that was 100 and still playing the piano and driving friends around!

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!

Just returned from music and ministry in South Carolina and caught the latest edition of the Newsletter. Thanks for this inspirational story. What a blessing!

Someone in our family found this forum and I wanted to thank everyone for the kind comments. This very remarkable lady is my grandma, and I have been raised listening to her piano music. She has a passion for playing and for entertaining. Yes, her mind is as sharp as it can be, she's up on all the world events, is a baseball fan, and even likes to play her occasional fill of blackjack at the casino's gaming tables! We will be reading all of these lovely responses to her. She will be so pleased to think that people enjoyed her story. Our family is very blessed to have had her for 101 years, as our matriarch and our inspiration.

Thanks, polly123, for registering and letting us know more about your grandma. Please stress to her that she has been a wonderful inspiration to all of us.

What a super lady! All us ladies should be like her! What an inspiration for all of us!

In case any of you didn't see her video - it is
located at this website address:

http://blog.mlive.com/annarbornews/2008/05/piano_tunes_in_the_key_of_a_10.html

There are two or three photos and a video at the
end. She is awesome - she's my wonderful MOM!!

What a wonderful lady.

I'd buy a ticket to hear her play.

Her video should be put on youtube for inspiration for elderly who sometimes think they have nothing to offer. Everyone does..whether it be story telling, musical instrument, or something else.

This precious lady is showing the world you are never to old to give of yourself to bring joy to others.

She's amazing!