Singing Together, Changing Lives: Key Chorale’s Community Outreach Choirs

August 9, 2024 | Sarasota

Since 1984, Key Chorale, the Suncoast’s premier symphonic chorus, has created unforgettable programs that continue to push the boundaries of choral music.
And, for more than a decade, Key Chorale has been bringing the therapeutic benefits of singing to our community with their outreach choirs. Later this month, four different specialty choirs are set to begin – choirs for those living with Parkinson’s, dementia and memory loss.

Key Chorale has been involved with community outreach choirs since 2012 working with local non-profit organizations dedicated to specific health challenges. Participating in a choir is a meaningful way to engage in community life and improve emotional well-being. Choir members develop friendships, work together to create a beautiful sound, and gain the many therapeutic benefits of singing. Group singing provides physical, emotional, and social benefits. These benefits are felt by attendees, care partners and volunteer singers from Key Chorale.

Each season, Key Chorale delivers 64 sessions of meaningful, purposeful singing experiences for senior enrichment and those living with health challenges and their care partners. These choirs include Where Are My Keys? Chorale in partnership with Senior Friendship Centers and JFCS of the Suncoast, Off-Key Chorale for those living with Parkinson’s in partnership with Neuro Challenge Foundation for Parkinson’s, and the Come Together Choir for senior enrichment in partnership with Town Square Sarasota.

New sessions begin August 22 and also later in the fall. If you, or someone you know, might benefit from being part of one of Key Chorale’s outreach choirs, please contact Ellen Schaller at 941.921.4845 or ellen.schaller@keychorale.org for more information.

These outreach choirs are made possible thanks to the generosity of our Community Outreach Initiative Fund Benefactors Charlie Ann & Jim Syprett, and Community Outreach Underwriters Phil Butler & Nadine Thomas, Don & Pat Clem, and Katherine & Frank Martucci.


Key Chorale’s community outreach choirs

OFF-KEY CHORALE
People with Parkinson’s commonly experience weakness in the various muscles used in speaking, whether respiration, voice production or lip and tongue control. This can lead to difficulty with articulation, slurred speech, reduced volume and pitch, and breathy voice. Difficulty in swallowing is also common. Off-Key Chorale provides all the benefits of singing, socialization and fun. Off-Key Chorale is a partnership with Key Chorale and Neuro Challenge Foundation for Parkinson’s.

FALL SESSION:
August 22 – October 10, 2024
12:45 PM – 1:45 PM
Location: Senior Friendship Center
1888 Brother Geenen Way, Sarasota, FL 34236

WHERE ARE MY KEYS? CHORALE (WAMK)
Two choirs that provide positive and joyful experiences for those living with dementia and memory loss. These groups explore the potential of people living with memory loss to experience renewed purpose, learning, friendships, and happiness. Presented with our partners at JFCS of the Suncoast and Senior Friendship Centers and their Adult Day program.

FALL SESSION:
August 22 – October 10, 2024
10:30 AM – 11:30 AM
Location: Senior Friendship Center Adult Day Program
1820 Brother Geenen Way, Sarasota, FL 34236

WINTER SESSION:
October 17 – December 12, 2024
12:45 PM – 1:45 PM
Location: JFCS of the Suncoast
2688 Fruitville Rd, Sarasota, FL 34237

LOCAL COME TOGETHER CHOIR (CTC)
Our newest community choir introduces our long-standing experience designing and delivering purposeful singing experiences for the community. Our local CTC is a partnership with Key Chorale and Town Square Sarasota.

WINTER SESSION:
October 17 – December 12, 2024
10:30 AM – 11:30 AM
Location: Town Square Sarasota
3882 Central Sarasota Parkway, Sarasota, FL 34238