Encore Chorale for Older Adults Launches Fall Season at Sites Throughout Maryland

We are pleased to share this announcement from one of AARP Maryland's community partners. Please note that this is not an AARP-sponsored event. Any information you provide will be governed by the host organization's privacy policy.

Encore Creativity for Older Adults, a choral organization for adults over 55, welcomes new and returning singers to the fall season of its Maryland-based chorales, — popular local groups that sing an eclectic mix of choral music in many styles and from many different eras — as well as its popular Annapolis and Glen Echo ROCKS choruses and Sentimental Journey Singers early memory loss group.

Encore is accepting registration now for its 15-week programs that begin September 2022 and culminate in a holiday concert that is free and open to the public. No auditions are necessary.

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"We continue our great community of deep friendships and love of singing under the direction of our beloved and talented conductor, Stephen Harouff," said Esther Layton, who has been singing with Encore for 15 years and is the Chorale Master of the Encore Chorale of Baltimore. "I encourage others to join our fabulous group and reap the benefits of singing."

Chorale and Chorus Programs
Encore Chorale of Asbury Methodist Village (AMV) will meet at AMV Hefner Auditorium, 301 Odendhal Ave, Gaithersburg on Tuesdays from 1 to 2:30 p.m., beginning September 6.

Encore Chorale of Annapolis will meet at Woods Memorial Presbyterian Church, 611 Baltimore Annapolis Blvd. in Severna Park, on Wednesdays, beginning September 7, from 2 to 3:30 p.m.

Annapolis ROCKS,  a rock and roll chorus, will meet Tuesdays, beginning September 6, from 10:30 a.m. to noon at Unitarian Universalist Church of Annapolis, 333 Dubois Road.

Encore Chorale of Baltimore will meet at Grace United Methodist Church, 5407 North Charles Street on Mondays, starting September 12, from 2 to 3:30 p.m.

Encore Chorale of Chesapeake Arts Center will meet for 15 weeks on Tuesdays, beginning September 6, from 10:30 a.m. to noon, at the Chesapeake Arts Center, 194 Hammonds Lane in Brooklyn Park.

Encore Chorale of Columbia will meet on Mondays from 10:30 a.m. to noon at the Owen Brown Interfaith Center, 7246 Cradlerock Way, beginning September 12.

Encore Chorale of Frederick will meet at the Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Frederick, 4880 Elmer Derr Road, from 10:30 a.m. to noon, begining on September 8.

Encore Chorale of Glen Echo will meet Thursdays from 12:30 to 2 p.m. at Glen Echo Park, 7300 MacArthur Blvd., Bethesda, beginning September 8.

Encore Chorale of Schweinhaut Center will meet Mondays from 10:30 a.m. to noon at the Schweinhaut Senior Center, 1000 Forest Glen Rd., Silver Spring, beginning September 12.

Encore Chorale of Southern Maryland (Lusby, Maryland) will meet Wednesdays from 1:30 to 3 p.m. at the Southern Pines Senior Center, 20 Appeal Lane, Lusby, starting September 7.

Tuition is $190.00 per person for each 15-week program. Encore will follow all city, state and federal Covid-19 guidelines. For more information and registration, visit www.encorecreativity.org or call 301-261-5747.

Memory Loss Program
Encore’s Sentimental Journey Singers, a choir for those with early-stage Alzheimer's or memory impairments and their care partners, will launch at the Pascal Senior Activity Center in Glen Burnie in a partnership with the Anne Arundel Department of Aging and Disabilities. Offered free of charge, the choir will meet for 15 weeks on Tuesdays, beginning September 6th, from 1 to 2:30 p.m. at the Pascal Senior Activity Center, 125 Dorsey Road in Glen Burnie.

Participants will engage in therapeutic music activities and sing familiar songs and new pieces in a social group setting under the leadership of Dr. Mary Ann East, performer, teacher and founder of the popular women’s chorus, Capital Harmonia. Dr. East is the program director of Encore’s Sentimental Journey Singers choirs in Fairfax and Loudoun, Virginia. 

Virtual Opportunities
For those who prefer to sing virtually, Encore is also offering its popular Encore University, a comprehensive online program of singing plus enrichment courses in music history, music theory, dance, art, movement classes and more. Tuition for the fall semester of Encore University is $185.00 per person. Registration starts August 10. Singers can combine both the in-person program with online classes for a full musical experience. 

About Encore Creativity for Older Adults

Founded in 2007 by Jeanne Kelly during an NIH-funded study to address the mental and physical health benefits of singing for older adults, Encore Creativity for Older Adults now has more than 1,000 singers in 30 programs across the nation, including Chorales and ROCKS (rock and roll choruses) and Sentimental Journey Singers, a choir for those with early Alzheimer’s or memory impairments and their care partners, plus a vibrant online university,  summer camp, winter retreat and travel abroad programs. Encore’s mission is to provide an accessible arts education and performance opportunities for older adults regardless of ability or experience. Encore is an IRS 501(c)(3) nonprofit tax exempt organization.