Entrance, Ida Culver House, Broadview in North Seattle

On 21 May, I gave my first performance of my trumpet show, “I Stand for the Flag,” a collection of 25 patriotic marches, songs, a bugle call, and a hymn. The venue was Ida Culver House, Broadview, a retirement community in north Seattle. For one hour, I entertained the residents with pieces such as “Semper Fidelis,” “When Johnny Comes Marching Home Again,” “Over There,” “Shenandoah,” “Eternal Father, Strong to Save” (The Navy Hymn), “God Bless America,” “America the Beautiful,” and “You’re a Grand Old Flag.”

The residents sang along and, in between songs, laughed (or groaned) at my jokes. I introduced each song with a wee bit of information about it, such as when it was written by whom or with what branch of the service it is associated or what famous singers made recordings of it, etc.

Dressed in my VFW uniform, I used four Bb instruments: my Getzen trumpet, Super Olds cornet, Getzen bugle, and Jupiter pocket trumpet.

On the bugle, I sounded my favorite call, “Tattoo,” which nightly is played 15 minutes before “Taps,” which signals lights out at 10 p.m. For the mournful “Shenandoah,” I played my cornet with a Denis Wick 4 mouthpiece which makes it sound like a flugelhorn. For “The Navy Hymn,” I used my regular Bach 8C cornet mouthpiece. My Jupiter pocket trumpet was my choice for playing “You’re a Grand Old Flag.” And for the marches and most other pieces, I used my Getzen Eterna Severinsen trumpet (please see my blog post of 14 December 2015), with either a Bach 8C or Bach 1.5C mouthpiece. For me, the 8C plays easier in the high range, and the 1.5C does better in the low range.

Ida Culver House, Broadview (ICHB)

This retirement community is part of the Era Living family of 8 such communities in the Greater Seattle area (please see https://www.eraliving.com/communities/broadview/). ICHB offers facilities and services for independent, assisted living, skilled nursing, short-term rehabilitation, and memory care. Stephanie Butler, Life Enrichment Coordinator, offered me this opportunity to entertain the ICHB residents.

Private cottage residences

ICHB has 245 residences with floor plans ranging from studios and three-bedroom apartments to single family cottages with garages! From some vantage points, there are breathtaking views of Puget Sound and the Olympic Mountains. Residents enjoy a lavishly landscaped garden courtyard, refreshing saltwater pool, elegant décor, and fine dining.

Amenities include:

• Vibrant Life Enrichment programs
• Café Bistro and billiards
• Elegant restaurant with an in-house chef
• On-site Wellness Center staffed by a nurse and caregivers
• Emergency call and daily check-in system
• Weekly housekeeping and linen services
• Maintenance services
• Personal* and group transportation
• Access to public transit
• EnhanceFitness classes
• Swimming pool & spa
• Beautiful outdoor amenities, lush garden, and terrace seating
• Full-service, on-site beauty salon and massage therapy studio*
• Library and Media Room
• Fireside lounge
• Professionally curated art collections
• Resident garage* & street level parking available

* Additional fee

Fitness class

Residence Features include:

• Full kitchens
• Cable TV and internet access
• All utilities except telephone
• Easy-access shower
• Bath tubs in select residences
• Individually controlled heating
• Washer & dryer in select apartments
• Private decks or patios in select residences
• Emergency call system
• Additional storage available
• Pet-friendly

Sample Floor Plans and Starting Monthly Fees: please see https://www.eraliving.com/communities/broadview/floor-plans/.

Photos are courtesy of Ida Culver House, Broadview. Please click on any photo to enlarge it.

Lobby entrance

Cafe Bistro

Outdoor garden terrace

Aquatic center

Billiards lounge

Phyical therapy

Woodworking

Olympic dining room