Serving Our Seniors Magazine - July - Sept 2024

Serving Our Seniors would like to thank Sandusky High School’s Choir Director, Carrie Leech and Assistant Choir Director, Andrea Cottrill. They led an intergenerational choir of teens and retirees who performed as the choir, called Ageless Harmony. The choir opened Serving Our Seniors spring show with the 1970’s coke-a-cola commercial, “I’d like to Teach the World to Sing.” They nailed it! Rarely, do people age 60+ have a chance to work collaboratively with teenagers to achieve a common goal. All were disappointed more people, age 60+, were not in the choir. They hope more will join next year. Here is what they had to say about the experience. Ken Wood, age 75, “It was encouraging for me to be with the group of young men I was singing with. These young people love what they are doing, too. And it shows.” If you’re age 60+ Ken wants you to know, “Don’t feel intimidated. Just come out and have fun. They really do care and ask us if we need anything.” Madison Fantozzi, “I’m on the shy side, so I didn’t interact a lot, but hearing them be so cheerful with everyone else and joke with Ms. Leech, it was nice. They are all such sweet people. I think I just liked being in that friendly environment.” Cindy Keiser, age 70, sings with Firelands Chorus and said Ageless Harmony was a positive experience. “On the first day, the kids came up and introduced themselves, which was very nice. After that, the altos stuck together and the sopranos stuck together, etc… and we worked at learning the song.” The students’ voices exceeded her expectations. “To be around so many kids with incredible voices was just great.” Liv Roth, has sung with older people, before. She said, “I love singing with the older people. I liked singing with them every week and getting to know them a little bit more each time we paracticed.” Bill Armbrecht, 85 years young , said, “I love to sing. I will be back next year. The kids were nice and considerate. We treated the kids just like one of us. I was really impressed by their voices. They were phenomenal.” When reflecting on the performance he said, “This is the kind of thing that builds a person,” referring to both young and old, alike. Natalie Whiteman, “It was a little bit scary, at first, because they are so much more experienced.” Shirley Ross, age 89, “I love to sing and I think music keeps me going.” Shirley also sings with Firelands Chorus. She and Cindy Keiser joined Ageless Harmony, together. “On the first day of choir practice, it felt a little like the first day of school. I use a walker, so I didn’t know what to expect. They were ready and willing to help, if I needed help. Cindy and I both said we had fun and we would do it again next year if we can. I liked seeing the attire the kids wore and their hairstyles.” Ava DeFretis, performed in Ageless Harmony last year and again this year. “I was excited when I learned the song we were about to sing, because I listen to songs from the 50’s and 60’s. So, I thought it was fun to sing this song with them.” Tylina Price, “When I came into the room, and I saw all of these old people, I said, ‘Am I in the right class?’” as she chuckled. “It was fun singing with older people and singing older songs. Singing something from back in the day was fun to sing with them. Zach Haas, also sang in Ageless Harmony last year, said, “It was really cool having strong singers in the bass section. I liked seeing their reaction singing a song they remembered when they were young. That was really nice.” Call Nancy Dellisanti, Program Coordinator, 419-624-1856 to express your interest in singing in the choir next year. Practice starts January 2025. Ageless Harmony: Forming a Common Bond 17