The idea for MUSE was born in 1973 when an invitation to sing in a Newton, Massachusetts nursing home led Lyric Tenor Paul Wiggin to recognize the need for music of the highest quality to enrich the lives of elderly nursing home residents. Incorporated in 1974 as a non-profit organization, MUSE responded to this need through the concept of concert visits by professional soloists, combining the art of song with friendship.From one singer serving two homes in 1974, MUSE grew to over 10 singers bringing at one point over 1500 concert-visits each year to 175 nursing homes in 100 Eastern Massachusetts communities. In recent years, MUSE has maintained a pilot program to continue serving local nursing homes and other underserved audiences in Massachusetts, while creating a training ground for new MUSE Singers who can replicate the program across Massachusetts and nationally. The Paul W. Wiggin "Gift of Song" Scholarship established at Andover Newton Theological School in spring 2009 to train seminarians to use music and understanding of elders in their ministry.