Singing Seniors Belt it Out for Better Health

By Susan Logue

 

ST MARY’S CITY, MD — A decade ago, the National Endowment for the Arts, a federal agency which supports artists, began studying creativity and aging with three choral groups. 

The agency’s research ended years ago but the choral groups kept on singing and, led by a professional director, have flourished.  There are now 11 choral groups in the Washington area which belong to Encore Creativity for Older Adults, and one affiliate group in the Midwestern state of Ohio.

“We are trying to make this a national movement,” says Jeanne Kelly who founded and directs the program.