About Resounding Voices

Mission 

We celebrate the full potential of people living with dementia.

Vision

Through music and fellowship, we support a dementia-friendly community.

Philosophy

A chorus for people with dementia uses the irrepressible power of singing to move people with cognitive changes and their care partners to rediscover themselves, make new friends, laugh together, learn together, and create something unique together. In the process, the singers and their communities develop a new understanding of what life with Alzheimer's can be. Singing in the chorus is a meaningful way to engage in community life, not simply a way to occupy time. The quality and content of the singers' experience -for the singers with dementia, the care partners, and the volunteers-are fundamental to the success of the program. For all singers, regardless of their experience or ability, the chorus offers a first-rate artistic process led by skilled teaching artists in an attractive and accessible music venue.

Building a successful chorus program requires hard work, respect for people with dementia and their abilities, enthusiasm for collaboration, adaptability, and a deep commitment to providing a welcoming, safe and inclusive environment for all. People with dementia are often marginalized after a diagnosis. A priority is to engage and embrace people with dementia who live in the community, outside of care facilities, because they generally have fewer opportunities to socialize and contribute. Similarly, their care partners often feel more isolated and alone. While many people living in care facilities also participate in Resounding Voices, we have chosen to direct our limited resources to where we see the greatest need- those people living in the community.

History

Beginning in early 2017, a group of volunteers gathered to bring a new chorus to Rochester. Following advice from the creators and leaders of Giving Voice – a successful organization based out of MacPhail School of Music in Minneapolis – Resounding Voices was born.

Resounding Voices is a chorus in Rochester, MN, for those community members who are experiencing mild memory impairment or dementia, and their support partners. Having completed several semesters, the power of music to unify, support, and strengthen minds and relationships has been amazing to watch.

The Resounding Voices chorus rehearses weekly in 10-week semesters with incorporated social time. Music is selected and adapted so that there is a mix of familiar and new, all toward the goal of successful public concerts at the end of each semester. Socializing is an essential part of each rehearsal, encouraging supportive friendships to grow. Dementia-aware, trained volunteers provide support so that all members of the chorus can fully participate in the experience. 

Please explore our website for more information on how to register to sing as a duet or as a volunteer, or contact us.