Making joyful noise through music has always been at the forefront at the Long Beach Senior Arts Colony. With a grant made possible through the Eisner Foundation, EngAGE sponsored a 12 -week inter-generational music program that began in mid-February and culminated in a music concert on May 18th at our Opening Reception for our current art show, “A Stroke of Nature.”
Students from the Renaissance High School for the Arts in Long Beach joined our senior singers and bridged the generation gap through their shared love of music.
Under the direction of professional musicians Frank McIlquham and Charles Fearing from the non-profit The Rock Club Music Is the Remedy, the chorus met once a week and rehearsed such favorites as “Signed, Sealed, Delivered-I’m Yours,” “Bridge Over Troubled Water,” “Lean On Me,” and a song written by Helene Weinberg called “I Love Living in Long Beach.”
As the rehearsals progressed, the singers (ages 15-85) forged friendships while they tackled challenging musical arrangements, learned harmonies, participated in a recording session and prepared for the final concert. The performance was, in a word, awesome, and was met with thunderous applause from the jam-packed, wildly enthusiastic audience.
This venture was so successful that we hope to continue the inter-generational music program in the future.
“Sing It” students
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- “Sing It” rehearsal
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- “Sing It” recording
~ Helene Weinberg, Creative Programs Director
EngAGE offers a variety of classes, workshops, and special programs at each
of our communities. These posts highlight just a small sample.
