The Daniels Run Singers, a 39-student honor choir from Daniels Run Elementary School, performed for the residents at the Sylvestery Assisted Living Home in McLean on Friday, June 6th. The 5th and 6th grade students led by music teacher Michelle McCarten performed songs from their spring choir repertoire and then joined the residents in a sing-a-long with many patriotic songs. After the concert, the students enjoyed meeting the residents with an informal social time.
This is not the first community event for the Singers this school year. The group performed at the Fairfax City of Festival of Lights, the Virginia Organization of Kodaly Educators Children's Choral Festival, and winter and spring concerts at Daniels Run Elementary.
This event however was special for McCarten - her grandmother was a resident for five years before passing away and the director knew many of the residents.
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"It was a joy to bring the Daniels Run Singers to the Sylvestery last week," said McCarten. "I was proud of their performance and musicianship but even more proud of their willingness to step outside of their comfort zone and meet new people. In rehearsals, the singers received training on how to interact with seniors with memory impairment. After they sang, ALL of them went around to each resident to meet and greet them. I know the residents were touched with the songs and the friendly conversations they had with the Daniels Run Singers. It is experiences like this that teach our students empathy and important social skills that they will need for the rest of their lives."
“I was very proud to witness our students’ willingness to serve their community with their talents to bring joy to others through music,” said audience member and DRES principal Adam Erbrecht.
