Memory Keeper’s Chorus First Anniversary Concert Jan. 13
It has been one year since Memory Keeper’s Chorus performed their first concert on January 13. 2024, at St. John’s Lutheran Church. The day was frigid, and snowflakes flew, but every chorus member from 45 to 96 years of age showed up to sing. The great audience of MK family and friends also represented organizations important to the musical-cultural and spiritual life of Decatur. It was an incredible gift for the singers to receive the support and love from so many audience members. This January’s MK concert will take place January 18th. Memory Keeper’s is a chorus of seniors who meet to rehearse every Friday from 10:00 am to 11:30 at their partner organization, the Decatur Family YMCA. Rehearsals begin with snacks and social time, then opening jokes, warm-ups, and the first song each week, “Oh What a Beautiful Morning.”
All the singer’s joke about experiencing annoying signs of dementia brought on by the normal processes of aging. Others live with a more serious form of dementia and participate in the chorus alongside a family member or community volunteer. They sing for increased medical well-being and the psycho-social benefits of singing with others.
Dr. Christina Shields, chorus founder and director, shares with community groups the evidenced based research and history of music and medicine in the treatment of dementia. Reach her through the YMCA for information about presenting for your organization.
Since their 2024 inaugural concert Memory Keeper’s presented both spring and summer concerts. In addition, the chorus performed on August 13th at the Mt. Zion Convention Center for the Heart of Illinois Community Foundation’s “Lift Your Voice” Do Something Great Awards Luncheon and on October 8th at the Decatur Club for the “Music To Medicine” Dementia Friendly Decatur Summit 2024, where Dr. Shields was a key-note speaker.
T o begin their second year of performances Memory Keeper’s will present their first concert of 2025, “Pray, Love, Dream On, and Have Lunch” on January 18th, 11:00 am at Life Foursquare Church, 2954 W. Ash Avenue. Lunch will be served for singers and all attendees providing a time of praise and support for the singers to be with audience members, family and friends helping to reach the music therapy goals, “socialization, communication, and self-expression.”
Please attend the concert. Laugh at the music jokes, remember the familiar tunes, sing-long on those you know and join in the fun of the Memory Keeper’s traditional closing song, “YMCA” Your heart will be touched by the singers, spirits lifted, and your sense of time well-spent, gratified.
