Bel Canto's newest outreach program is the Senior Singers program - providing the choral experience to senior citizens. In 2006 Bel Canto launched a new outreach project to bring the experience of participatory choral singing to senior citizens living in continuing care retirement communities. The principal objective is to improve the participants’ quality of life and health through the experience of choral singing.
Senior Singers was modeled after a 3-year study titled "Creativity and Aging: The Impact of Professionally Conducted Cultural Programs on Older Adults," led by Dr. Gene D. Cohen. This study found clear differences in the health of seniors involved in arts programs and those in the control groups. Cohen summarized, "The fact that there was so much improvement in many areas was the surprise factor."
The study reported that the benefits of choral singing include:
- Fewer doctor visits
- Fewer eyesight problems
- Less incidence of depression
- Less need for medication
- Improved voice quality, breathing and posture
- Fewer falls and other injuries.
Bel Canto piloted its Senior Singers Program in the fall of 2006 and spring of 2007. After 12-14 weekly rehearsals each semester, the participants presented performances for their communities. The four concerts were enthusiastically attended by seniors, friends and families, and one performance at Luther Manor delighted over 400 people. The daughter of one singer stated,
"Never did I expect basically standing room only for this performance...I hope Bel Canto continues with their senior outreach...these people have a lot to offer and I can tell they enjoyed being in the limelight once again."
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Bel Canto Chorus offers a variety of Community Outreach programs and projects. In summer 2006, fifty-four members of Bel Canto traveled to Ireland to perform several fundraising concerts to provide funding for churches and hospices in Ireland. The chorus usually travels every other year to a variety of exciting destinations.
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The experience and feedback from the senior participants, site administrators and activity directors has been overwhelmingly positive, and baseline and follow-up surveys show significant quality of life improvements after one year of participation.
Plans are to continue the program at two senior residences, Luther Manor and San Camillo, and to identify and implement the program at a third site during the coming year. For more information, contact: Rebecca Whitney, rwhitney@belcanto.org
(414) 481-8801
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