The power of music isn’t just a cliché—as the Good Vibes Memory Choir continues to prove, it can break through to the community, especially for those living with dementia.
Following its first performances this past December, the choir returns to the stage May 10 with a concert at St. Peter’s Lutheran Church in Cochrane.
See related article: Good Vibes Memory Choir set to perform on Dec. 15 and 16
“Our performances are a powerful reminder that joy, creativity and connection are still possible—even on the dementia journey,” said Tiffany Talen, director of community engagement for the Good Vibes Memory Choir. “It’s a journey that can be incredibly isolating and challenging, but through music, we create moments of light, togetherness and hope.”
The show, titled ‘Put a Little Love in Your Heart,’ will begin at 3 p.m. and is admission by donation. The choir will perform popular love songs from past decades.
“It’s all music people will recognize,” said Erica Phare-Bergh, artistic director of the choir. “They’ll be able to sing along with Sweet Caroline and some Stevie Wonder songs as well. It’s really important that they’re singing things that are familiar—but also some new things too, because we used to think that people with memory loss couldn’t learn new things. That has since been proven wrong.”
Phare-Bergh founded the choir in September, inspired by her work with the Voices in Motion research choir in Victoria, B.C. There are currently two choirs in operation: one exclusive to residents of the Hawthorne Senior Community and another open to the public at St. Peter’s Lutheran Church.
See related article: Good Vibes Memory Choir coming to Cochrane Sept. 18
She credited the support of several local organizations—including the Cochrane Lions Club, Rotary Club and Cochrane Activettes—for helping the choir flourish.
“We really appreciate and rely on those contributions to keep the choir running, because we don’t charge a fee to participate,” said Phare-Bergh. “These donations help cover the cost of the venue, sheet music, advertising and everything else needed to keep things going.”
Most recently, the choir received a $10,000 donation from Cochrane Home Treasures.
“We are incredibly grateful for this generous donation, which will help us expand our programming and continue making a positive impact on the lives of those affected by dementia,” said Talen.
Among those who have experienced the choir’s benefits is Darrell Eliason, who joined with his wife in January.
“I thought this would be a good experience for her to participate in a group activity with some support and understanding,” he said. “She’s gone from being unsure about what it was all about to now really enjoying it.”
Eliason said the choir has also become a meaningful activity they can share as a couple.
“It’s something we do together,” he said. “And for me, it’s an opportunity to meet other like-minded individuals and sing along with them.”
Though the choir may appear to be a casual outlet, its members take the experience seriously.
“I’m really impressed with the commitment and enthusiasm of the choir members to show up,” said Eliason.
“They sound really good,” added Phare-Bergh. “Whatever people imagine a seniors’ choir sounds like—they don’t sound like that. They sing in harmony and take it seriously.”
Before their May 10 performance, the Good Vibes Memory Choir will perform at the Cochrane Chamber of Commerce Trade Show at the SLS Centre on Saturday, May 2, at 2 p.m.
