Choral Society workshop has seniors smiling and singing the high notes
Area seniors this week will raise their spirits as they raise their voices and rediscover the joy of song.
The Bucks County Choral Society’s fifth annual Singing for Seniors Fall Workshop will take place Oct. 15 from 10:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. at the Andrews Hall Education Building at Doylestown Presbyterian Church.
The society, celebrating its 37th year, encourages any seniors — regardless of talent level or association with other musical ensembles — to participate in this growing event.
Under the guidance of Thomas Lloyd, in his 10th year as artistic director, and vocalist Helen Kemp, the program will begin with an introduction and appropriate vocal warm-up exercises. The rest of the morning will be spent learning two songs the group will perform at the conclusion of the workshop, said marketing director Rick Rosen.
After a provided lunch, guest tenor and soloist Richard Gaylord will offer a program featuring a unique blend of songs about life and love. Gaylord, who recently relocated to this area, has been a featured artist with the Cleveland Opera, the Ohio Arts Council and in various churches throughout the Midwest.
Speaking to the foundation of the program, Kemp, in her 90s, often notes that, “You don’t stop singing because you get old — you get old because you stop singing,” said Rosen.
Many of those involved with the Singing for Seniors program tout the physical and mental benefits of song.
“It’s a big thing for breathing and respiratory problems, depression, cardiac problems, posture and the skeletal system,” said participant Ruth Sauter. “These are all very important issues for people as they get older.”
Sauter, an independent resident at Heritage Towers in Doylestown who directs the choir there, says the program helps seniors overcome vocal problems caused by aging.
“So often I hear, ‘I can’t sing anymore — my voice is scratchy,’” she explained. “This encourages the joy of singing and gives courage to people who haven’t sung in a long while.”
Or to those whom have no experience, Sauter said.
“You don’t have to sing in another group in order to go — [the workshop] is open to everyone,” she said. “There are people who have never sung before, except in the shower.”
Belting it out can have a positive effect on the soul, she added.
“It’s a fact that singing together fosters personal fulfillment and appreciation for beauty in all areas of life,” she said. “It’s a lifelong benefit and leads to good health, good socialization and citizenship.”
Each year, Sauter brings her Heritage Tower choir to participate in the BCCS spring program, where choral groups come together to share selections with each other and collaborate on performance pieces.
Singing for Seniors is the brainchild of Lloyd, who greatly values the commitment of these citizens to the choral society, said Rosen.
“This is very much a favorite project for Tom,” he said. “While we recognize the need to cultivate new audience members, there’s a recognition that seniors are a strong and important part of our audience, and the more we can do to get them familiar with what we’re about, the better.”
The sentiment does not go unnoticed, either.
“We are grateful the society is performing this outreach to the community, and not just to the people they want to have sing in their group,” said Sauter. “They recognize the continuation of music as life goes on. It’s a wonderful thing.”
The workshop costs $15, which covers lunch, music and program expenses. For more information, contact Phyllis Sexton at 215-345-7625 or pfsexton@verizon.net. To learn more about Singing for Seniors events, or to purchase tickets for BCCS concerts, call 215-598-6142 or visit www.buckschoral.org.
The Bucks County Choral Society’s fifth annual Singing for Seniors Fall Workshop will take place Oct. 15 from 10:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. at the Andrews Hall Education Building at Doylestown Presbyterian Church.
The society, celebrating its 37th year, encourages any seniors — regardless of talent level or association with other musical ensembles — to participate in this growing event.
Under the guidance of Thomas Lloyd, in his 10th year as artistic director, and vocalist Helen Kemp, the program will begin with an introduction and appropriate vocal warm-up exercises. The rest of the morning will be spent learning two songs the group will perform at the conclusion of the workshop, said marketing director Rick Rosen.
After a provided lunch, guest tenor and soloist Richard Gaylord will offer a program featuring a unique blend of songs about life and love. Gaylord, who recently relocated to this area, has been a featured artist with the Cleveland Opera, the Ohio Arts Council and in various churches throughout the Midwest.
Speaking to the foundation of the program, Kemp, in her 90s, often notes that, “You don’t stop singing because you get old — you get old because you stop singing,” said Rosen.
Many of those involved with the Singing for Seniors program tout the physical and mental benefits of song.
“It’s a big thing for breathing and respiratory problems, depression, cardiac problems, posture and the skeletal system,” said participant Ruth Sauter. “These are all very important issues for people as they get older.”
Sauter, an independent resident at Heritage Towers in Doylestown who directs the choir there, says the program helps seniors overcome vocal problems caused by aging.
“So often I hear, ‘I can’t sing anymore — my voice is scratchy,’” she explained. “This encourages the joy of singing and gives courage to people who haven’t sung in a long while.”
Or to those whom have no experience, Sauter said.
“You don’t have to sing in another group in order to go — [the workshop] is open to everyone,” she said. “There are people who have never sung before, except in the shower.”
Belting it out can have a positive effect on the soul, she added.
“It’s a fact that singing together fosters personal fulfillment and appreciation for beauty in all areas of life,” she said. “It’s a lifelong benefit and leads to good health, good socialization and citizenship.”
Each year, Sauter brings her Heritage Tower choir to participate in the BCCS spring program, where choral groups come together to share selections with each other and collaborate on performance pieces.
Singing for Seniors is the brainchild of Lloyd, who greatly values the commitment of these citizens to the choral society, said Rosen.
“This is very much a favorite project for Tom,” he said. “While we recognize the need to cultivate new audience members, there’s a recognition that seniors are a strong and important part of our audience, and the more we can do to get them familiar with what we’re about, the better.”
The sentiment does not go unnoticed, either.
“We are grateful the society is performing this outreach to the community, and not just to the people they want to have sing in their group,” said Sauter. “They recognize the continuation of music as life goes on. It’s a wonderful thing.”
The workshop costs $15, which covers lunch, music and program expenses. For more information, contact Phyllis Sexton at 215-345-7625 or pfsexton@verizon.net. To learn more about Singing for Seniors events, or to purchase tickets for BCCS concerts, call 215-598-6142 or visit www.buckschoral.org.
