Singers Age 55+ Invited to Join the Towson Encore Chorale

From Encore Creativity for Older Adults:

Who: Singers Age 55+ Are Invited to Join the Towson Encore Chorale

What: Encore Chorale for singers 55+

When: Starting Thursday, September 8, 2016 2:00pm to 3:30 pm for 15 weeks

Where: Towson Presbyterian Church, 400 West Chesapeake Avenue, Towson MD

The Encore Chorale invites novice and experienced singers to join the Fall season of song starting on Thursday, September 8 from 2:00pm to 3:30 pm for 15 weeks at the Towson Presbyterian Church.

Encore singers improve their voice, improve their health, meet new friends and enjoy a great new adventure singing challenging music in four parts in preparation to join other Encore Chorales for exciting community concerts. There are no auditions and singers may sit to rehearse and perform.

The value of choral singing in improving and sustaining the physical, mental and social health of older adults is documented and undeniable. Encore offers the opportunity to explore a new artistic venture for those who have not sung in years, or to continue a life-long passion for others. Singers learn vocal technique, proper breathing and posture, and always come away delighted by the weekly rehearsals.

Encore has 15 chorales in the Washington DC/Baltimore area serving over 1000 older adult singers. This Fall, Encore singers will rehearse and perform a selection of holiday and seasonal pieces, including

And the Glory of the Lord, Irving Berlin’s Christmas, Shephard’s Pipe Carol, and others. The Towson Encore Chorale will give concerts in December at the Interfaith Center in Columbia on December 10, Towson Presbyterian Church on December 17, and with combined Encore chorales at The Kennedy Center on December 23.

The chorale is conducted by Stephen Harouff, who also serves as the Music Director and Organist at the Towson Presbyterian Church. Mr. Harouff is an experienced choral director and highly accomplished musician with Bachelor degrees in Music Education and in Piano Performance, and a Master’s degree in Organ Performance from the Peabody Conservatory. Participants enjoy his warmth, expertise and enthusiasm for teaching.

Tuition for 15 weeks of expert instruction, sheet music, rehearsal CD and concert performances is $175. Advance registration is encouraged and is available by credit card on the Encore website, or may be paid by check at the first rehearsal. Need-based tuition assistance is available.

For more information, visit the Encore website at http://encorecreativity.org, call 301-261-5747 or email info@encorecreativity.org.

About Encore Creativity

Encore Creativity for Older Adults is a 501(c)(3) non-profit corporation dedicated to providing an excellent and accessible artistic environment for older adults, either beginning, intermediate, or advanced levels, who seek arts education and performance opportunities under a professional artist.

Encore currently has 15 Encore Chorales and 5 ENCORE ROCKS (rock ‘n roll chorus) Chorales in the Virginia, Maryland and Washington, DC serving over 1000 singers, and 11 affiliate chorales nationally.

Encore’s Executive Director is Jeanne Kelly. While Director of the Levine School of Music-Northern Virginia, she formed three chorales to participate in the study on the impact of participation in professionally conducted cultural programs on older adults, led by internationally known gerontologist Dr. Gene Cohen. The three year study showed positive results: better health, fewer doctor visits, less medication usage, more positive responses on mental health measures and more involvement in overall activities. This community based arts program under professional leadership also appears to be reducing risk factors that drive the need for long-term care. The lead sponsor of this study was the National Endowment of the Arts in Washington, D.C.

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