Encore! Nashville Choir New to the Scene

In the heart of Music City, a new group is forming. The singers are on the older side, the setlist spans decades of hits—from the Beach Boys to Led Zeppelin—and the goal goes far beyond performance.

In August, AARP Tennessee will team up with Encore Creativity for Older Adults to launch Encore Nashville Rocks, a 15-week choral program culminating in a December concert accompanied by a live band. The group will rehearse for 90 minutes weekly in-person, but virtual practice is available for those who have to miss or are unable to attend all of them.

The program helps AARP’s broader efforts to promote brain health. Research shows group singing can help reduce loneliness, improve physical health and boost cognitive function.

“We really felt that it was a reflection of our commitment to fostering creative aging,” says Stacy Pennington, senior associate state director of community outreach and engagement at AARP Tennessee. “It provides opportunities for older adults to engage in music, but it also enriches their lives.”

Encore CEO Joshua Vickery says the program is open to anyone 55 and older. No audition is required.

Encore was founded in 2007 after a study by the National Endowment for the Arts (with other sponsors, including AARP) found music had several physical, mental and social benefits for older adults. Encore now includes more than 2,000 singers in 55 cities, offering choirs that help older adults connect, learn and perform music across various genres.

“Music is so great for our brains,” Vickery says.

Nashville Rocks is the latest of AARP Tennessee’s music-centered programs that have ranged from ukulele classes to local jam sessions. To register, visit aarp.org/tn.

—Stacey Shepard