Sing With Us
Sing your Encore!
Encore Creativity for Older Adults was founded on the joy of singing—a joy that never grows old!
All Encore ensembles are non-auditioned, and singers of all experience levels are welcomed. With Encore rehearsals, you’ll be guided through a marvelous repertoire of choral arrangements or rock ‘n’ roll hits by experienced conductors.
Encore Creativity for Older Adults at the Kennedy Center Millennium Stage
© 2023, John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts
Spring Registration
Our Programs
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Encore Chorales
Encore ROCKS
Arts for Life
Encore University
FAQ
Must I be an experienced singer to join an Encore program? Do you require auditions?
Definitely not! No auditions are necessary for an Encore program and singers of all skill levels are welcome. Encore ensembles are comprised of people who have sung with organized groups for many years, as well as people who have never sung with a group before. Some didn't even know they could sing!
Must I be able to read music to join an Encore program?
What kinds of music do you perform?
For our chorales, our fall season is typically focused on holiday music as our concerts are performed in December. We select some songs that touch on December holidays, but trend toward more seasonal secular music overall. In the spring, the sky’s the limit! We sing Broadway, oratorio, spirituals, and even a little opera. We always include a surprise or two to keep our singers – and our audiences – excited and surprised by the repertoire.
Encore ROCKS ensembles sing choral arrangements of the greatest rock ‘n’ roll hits of the 50s – 80s, with a sprinkling of modern-day hits. Our repertoire is meant to take you on a journey from the classics to the contemporary, and everything in-between.
Sentimental Journey Singers sing familiar songs in a warm group setting, like Sleigh Ride in the winter and Let it Shine for the spring, and, of course, the signature song Sentimental Journey.
Are rehearsal and performance venues accessible for older adults?
What is your inclement weather policy?
Encore follows the decision of the local school district to which a program belongs for weather-related closings. This means:
- If a city or county school district closes due to weather, in-person rehearsals in that district will not be held.
- If a rehearsal venue chooses to close independent of the school district, that ensemble will not meet in person.
- If a school district announces an early closure, rehearsals that begin prior to the early dismissal time will still meet. Rehearsals meeting after that time will not be held.
- If a local school district has a delayed opening, programs that meet after the adjusted start time will meet as scheduled.
- We encourage you to stay home if you feel personally uncomfortable with driving to
rehearsal.
Encore offers online rehearsals each week, and any in-person singers are welcome to join an online rehearsal when they feel it is most convenient for them.
May I attend rehearsals at ensembles other than my own?
Yes! We want you to experience every one of our talented conductors and to build relationships with singers throughout our Encore Creativity community. So, if you’re registered to sing with a chorale, you can visit and rehearse with any other chorale – just show up, check in with the Chorale or ROCKS Coordinator, and sing! Similarly, if you’re registered as a ROCKer, you can visit and rehearse with any other ROCKS ensemble. All you’ll need to do is provide proof of your COVID-19 vaccination and first booster to sing with a new ensemble – think of your COVID documents as your passport to our expansive Encore programming.
I’m not sure if Encore is for me. May I try out singing before I register?
Yes! Anyone may attend the first rehearsal in the season to try out singing with an Encore ensemble without committing to our program. Experience the joy of singing with us – we know you’ll love it! After the first week of rehearsal, we require all singers to be registered with us.
What is your refund policy if I must leave the chorale mid-season?
Encore's refund policy is based on the specific state date of rehearsals. We will honor individual requests for a full refund until 11:59 PM on the date of your registered ensemble's second rehearsal.
If special circumstances warrant that a singer must withdraw from a program, a credit may be issued for a future rehearsal season.
Is financial assistance available?
I can’t make an in-person rehearsal/I prefer rehearsing online. Do you have online options?
Sing your Encore!
Register for an Encore program near you and start the music!