Registration is Now Open for the Sentimental Journey Singers

Encore Creativity for Older Adults, the nation’s largest choral program for singers 55+, is pleased to introduce a chorus for those diagnosed with early or beginning moderate Alzheimer’s and other memory impairments. “Sentimental Journey Singers” will begin Monday, September 9 from 9:30 to 11am at Insight Memory Care Center at 3953 Pender Drive, Suite 100, Fairfax, VA.

Encore is proud to be partnering with Insight Memory Care Center to bring this excellent choral program to those diagnosed with early or moderate dementia. Insight is a nonprofit adult day health and resource center providing specialized care, support and education for individuals with Alzheimer’s disease and other memory impairments, their families, care partners and the community.  

For those in early stages, Insight offers social engagement programs to maximize capabilities, and provide support for loved ones to adjust to changing family dynamics. Insight is the only dementia-specific day center in the DC metro area and still the only adult day health center in Northern Virginia with programs for people in the later stages of dementia. Their innovative education and support programs provide caregiver classes, community trainings, professional seminars, support groups and individual consultations.

With 16 Encore Chorales and 6 Encore ROCKS (rock n roll choruses) in the DC/MD/VA and New York City area serving over 1,250 singers ages 55+, Encore Creativity for Older Adults is perfectly positioned to deliver an excellent choral program for those diagnosed with beginning or moderate memory impairment. Singers, along with their care partner, will delight in singing familiar and new songs in three- part harmony. Singers will be rehearsing familiar music for the Christmas and Chanukah holidays along with favorites such as Somewhere Over the Rainbow. They will learn vocal technique skills to improve their singing voice and enjoy the thrill of singing in a chorus and the all-important social aspect of choral singing.

Tuition will be $195.00 for fifteen weeks of rehearsals. The tuition covers the rehearsals under a professional conductor, a music therapist pianist, music, rehearsal CD containing the music that is being rehearsed, refreshments during social time and a free, December public concert. CLICK HERE TO REGISTER

There are no auditions and Encore is hopeful that all care partners will also sing. Please note that care partners are not required to sing but are required to sit in on every rehearsal. Care partners do not pay tuition but are required to pay a $25 registration fee. CLICK HERE TO REGISTER

Conducting the Sentimental Journey Singers will be Mary Ann East, an Encore conductor and adjunct professor at George Mason University. MaryAnn is pursuing her Doctor of Musical Arts degree from Boston University. She also conducts the Community of Faith UMC in Herndon, VA and is the director of the Capital Harmonia Community Women’s Chorus.

Rachel Thompson will serve as the pianist. Rachel received her Master’s Degree in Musical Therapy from Florida State University.  A Board – Certified Music Therapist, she works primarily with adults who have dementia or other cognitive impairments.

Encore invited all interested individuals to the Sentimental Journey Singers Open House on Monday, July 15. Many attended and remarked upon how much they enjoyed it. Please call the Encore office at 301-261-5747 to reserve space for the singer and care partner. Encore invites anyone who is interested in this program, or other Encore choral programs, to visit http://encoreacreativity.org to learn more about Encore. Encore believes that singing is a lifetime journey. Encore would love all caregivers to join us! Your experience will offer teamwork, confidence, a lot of fun and incredible joy!

SINGERS CLICK ON BUTTON TO REGISTER

CARE PARTNERS CLICK ON BUTTON TO REGISTER

Summer Fun with Encore

Unlike many choral organizations, Encore doesn't take the summer off.  Every year, Encore offers five- or six-day Summer Institutes, or "Summer Sleep-Away Camps," as the singers like to call them.  The days are consumed by morning exercise or yoga classes, choral rehearsals, sight reading classes, and vocal technique workshops, just to name a few of the activities.  In the evening, Encore brings in a variety of musical performers, from classical, to American Song Book, World Music and more.  This is also a great opportunity for singers to socialize and get to know each other.

Encore has been returning annually to Chautauqua Institution, NY for eleven years, and for the past several years to Washington College in beautiful Chestertown, MD.  In 2018, Encore offered its first-ever Rock & Roll Camp in historic Annapolis, MD.  Participation in Encore's summer programs is not restricted to current Encore singers.  Anyone over the age of 55 with a desire to participate is welcome to attend.

So lock in your plans now.  Register for one or more of these great summer experiences.  Everything you need to know and to register is HERE.

Our Singers Love Encore!

Fall 2018 Semester Singers' Program Evaluation Report Released.

In the most recent Singers' Program Evaluation Survey, 96.9% of survey respondents were “very satisfied” or “satisfied” with their overall choral experience, an impressive level of happiness with the Encore Chorale and Encore ROCKS programs.  Encore’s leadership has thoroughly reviewed the results of the survey, especially comments received, and will use the results to identify opportunities to improve Encore’s choral programs and administrative support. Actions will be taken to implement applicable improvements as appropriate and as discussed in this report.

View/Download Report Here.