Today's event was an outreach concert at St. Benedict's Senior Community.  The Great River Chorale, an auditioned community choir, did its first ever outreach concert this weekend at St. Benedict's Center.  The Choir performed a programme of love songs for residents living with memory loss and their families, and a second concert open to all interested residents.  The event, which included sing-along songs such as You Are My Sunshine and You're a Grand Old Flag, was an enjoyable experience for residents and singers alike. 

I am privileged to sing in the choir, but also had a chance to document parts of the sing-along with a camera.  This is a sampling of what I was able to capture in those brief moments.  I found the informal atmosphere to be particularly moving because it reminded me of the central role that music can play in the lives of people of all ages.  One thing in particular that struck me was witnessing residents singing along, not only with the sing-along songs, but also in some of the programme numbers and knowing that I was a part of that.  Music has the power to bring me back to places and experiences that I haven't thought about or remembered for a very long time.  I suppose it has that power for everyone.  Certain musical pieces remind me of certain times in my life.  For instance, I remember buying my first stereo at Best Buy and listening to Venus by Bananarama in junior high.  Listening to Prince reminds me of my high school soccer career and when I hear the song Loveshack, I am strangely brought back into my HS art room. I can still smell the paint and see the faces of my friends in that room.  Listening to Fernando Ortega's song Lord of Eternity will forever remind me of the day that my husband (then fiancee) left for Nashville for his internship in the music industry.  

While I can't say that singing Don't Sit Under The Apple Tree brings back any memories for me, I could certainly see by looking at the faces of some of the audience members, the power of music for every generation.  It's a great tune.  I'm glad I got to share it.