For older adults looking to improve their health, get involved in their community, and meet new friends through a shared love of song, the Encore Chorale of New York City West is excited to welcome new and returning singers to the rehearsal room for the fall season of singing beginning September 4. The ensemble is a non-auditioned choir for older adults, and is a local chapter of the nonprofit Encore Creativity for Older Adults, whose mission is to create meaningful arts experiences supporting lifelong learning, wellness, and fun. The season will culminate in a performance that is free and open to the public. Interested singers can register at https://encorecreativity.org/fall2024 or by calling (301) 261-5747.

All older adults are welcome to Encore’s fall season, with repertoire that brings singers together in four-part harmony with vibrant reminders of the power of music to create community. The ensemble meets weekly for 90 minutes each Wednesday from 1:30 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. at Broadway Presbyterian Church, 601 W 114th St, New York, NY 10025. Within each weekly rehearsal is the chance for singers to create meaningful connections with other music lovers and form bonds that last far beyond the rehearsal room.

“Encore means an opportunity to learn how to sing in a wonderful group,” said one singer of the Encore Chorale of New York City West. “And what’s really important is that it’s a great community of new friendships that I’ve developed. I just love singing with Encore every week!”

The Encore Chorale of New York City West, led by local and celebrated conductor Bernadette Hoke, will rehearse a wide variety of choral favorites this fall. From perennial choral classics, such as Dona Nobis Pacem from Mozart’s Mass in C and arranged by Patrick M. Liebergen, to new favorites from modern composers, such as Victor C. Johnson’s exquisite Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Evening and upbeat renditions of Molly Ijames’ spirited Deck the Halls Rag, the Encore Chorale of New York City West will sing to ring in the winter season.

Each year, Encore Creativity’s programs culminate in a grand performance bringing Encore singers together across the nation to celebrate a year of wellness, creativity, and fun for all older adults, a key aspect of Encore Creativity’s mission. In 2023, Encore’s annual Kennedy Center performance as a part of the Millennium Stage series was held to great acclaim with over 400 Encore singers from across the nation in attendance. The performance was reflective of Encore Creativity’s 17-year history, with singers of all ensembles led by distinguished conductors to build community through singing.

For singers on the Upper East Side of New York City, Encore also hosts the Encore Chorale of New York City East, which meets Thursdays from 11:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. at Madison Avenue Presbyterian Church, 921 Madison Avenue, New York, NY 10021. Singers registered with either New York City ensemble may conveniently choose to sing with the ensemble that fits their schedule week-to-week.

Tuition for the full season of 22.5 hours of rehearsal time is $190 and includes all materials. A scholarship program is available for those needing financial assistance, covering up to 100% of tuition. For a complete list of dates, times, and locations for each ensemble, visit https://encorecreativity.org or call (301) 261-5747.

About Encore Creativity for Older Adults

Founded in 2007 by Jeanne Kelly during a National Institutes of Health-funded study to address the mental and physical health benefits of singing for older adults, Encore Creativity for Older Adults now hosts chorales nationwide, plus its annual summer camp, winter retreat and travel abroad programs. Encore’s mission is to create meaningful arts experiences supporting lifelong learning, wellness, and fun for all older adults. Encore’s programs, offered in-person and online, include its Chorale ensembles, ROCKS rock ‘n’ roll ensembles, and its Arts for Life programs for those with cognitive change and their care partners. Across all its programs, Encore now has more than 1,500 singers and 40 ensembles throughout the country, from the Baltimore-Washington metropolitan region to Santa Clarita, California. Encore seeks to create a world where all older adults have a place in the arts.