Daughter’s friend Sarah had a piano recital on Sunday at the Castle Living Residence on Prospect Park West at Union Street. It turned out we knew quite a few other kids who were in the recital, either playing piano or flute.

Old age homes make me nervous. Always have. I grew up down the street from something called "The Riverview Willard," a really depressing old age home on West 86th Street, where the ancient-looking residents would sit out on the street in wheelchairs, on benches, and folding chairs, looking terribly bored, unhealthy, and sad.

That was back in the 1970’s and things have changed quite a bit. The Castle Living Residence has a lovely lobby with a doorman; more like a luxury apartment building. A sign in the elevator said: Yoga in the morning, the children’s recital at 2 p.m. and "North" a Rob Reiner movie that evening.

By the time we got to the social room on the fifth floor, there were barely any seats left. Priority, of course, went to the dozens of residents who had come out for the show. Then there was the big crowd of parents, siblings, grandparents and friends of the performers.

Standing Room Only.

With 14 performers and a a long program, I nervously expected the show to last hours. But piano/flute teacher Helen Richman is well-organized and clearly knows what she’s doing. The recital ran  smoothly and quickly, starting with a simple but impressive etude played by a 4-year-old followed by a double-threat flutist/pianist in baggy red tights and an adorable plaid party dress with a sash.

A dramatic rendition of the "Star Wars" theme came soon after, as did versions of "Ode to Joy," the "Dreidel song," "When the Saints Go Marching In," "Greensleeves" and more.

An impressive trio of pre-teen flutists made beautiful sounds with their flutes —  something that is not very easy to do.

The audience, many of whom were in wheelchairs, with walkers, or canes, listened attentively. Some sang along. Two dozed. One snoored.

What impressed me most was the poise and ease of the performers. Helen had obviously tutored them in the art of the gracious bow.

After the performance, the performers gave out handmade snowflake and harp ornaments to all members of the audience.

And then there were hot pink and bright blue frosted cupcakes, fruit punch, rice krispy treats and homemade chocolate chip cookies.

The event reminded me of something I experienced or dreamed of: the small town piano recital. Maybe it was the baggy red tights or the fruit punch mix of orange juice and ginger ale; the nervous performers clutching their flutes, their sheet music; the loud clapping of the parents, relieved that their child had survived with no mistakes too glaring, too humiliating (for the child, of course).

Being in the Castle Living Residence, seeing the elderly people living the way they do: it brought up a mix of disbelief, fear, denial, a "not me" kind of distance.

But I sat with it for the duration of the recital. Watching young children make music, tooting their flutes, pressing piano keys while observing those at the other end of their lives. Bitter. Sweet. Mostly sweet.