The Keystone Community Singers: Embracing LIfe's Journey (Vintage Voices Full Concert, 11/21/2024)

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Video by Novart Media

The Keystone Community Singers (VocalEssence Vintage Voices)
Embracing Life’s Journey

Thursday, November 21, 2024
Merriam Park Community Center Auditorium, St. Paul, MN
 
Robert Graham, conductor
John Jensen, piano
 
The Keystone Community Singers welcome you to our Fall concert! As we journey through life, we encounter many ups and downs along the way. Autumn can be a time of thanksgiving, of homecoming, and of remembering the people, places and things that we love most. This heartfelt program features a variety of songs, poems and reflections prepared by the singers that remind us of the importance of embracing our own journey through life, while loving and supporting others along the way. 
Program:
“Blue Skies” - Irving Berlin
Words of Welcome! - Phyllis Harris
 “The Time for Turning” - Craig Courtney
 “Try to Remember” from The Fantasticks - Harvey Schmidt, arr. Jay Althouse
Poem: “Let Us Give Thanks” by Max Coots -  Read by Janie Morissette                    “Gifts” - Greg Gilpin
 “Autumn Leaves” - John Jensen, solo piano
Poems: “Rain Begins" and "Autumn Garb" - Written and read by Shelley Jensen
 “The Water is Wide” - American Folk Songs, arr. Rollo Dillworth
 Audience Sing-along: “Love Is…” - Abbie Betinis
 “Can’t Help Singing” -  Jerome Kern (Barbara McKernan, soprano)
“The Way You Look Tonight” - Jerome Kern, arr. Mac Huff
 “I Love You” -  Cole Porter - John Jensen, solo piano
 “Love Can Build a Bridge” - Naomi Judd, Paul Overstreet, John Barlow Jarvis, Arr. Cristi Cary Miller
 Excerpt from “Storycatcher” by Christina Baldwin - Read by Ramona Kaszas
 “Journey On”- Derrick Fox
 “What a Wonderful World”- Bob Thiele & George David Weiss, arr. Mark Brymer

VOCALESSENCE VINTAGE VOICES is an exciting choral program that integrates the arts into the everyday lives of older adults. Activities include choral rehearsals with conductor Rob Graham and accompanist John Jensen for 12 weeks, culminating in an on-site concert for friends, family and the community. Weekly rehearsals focus on the process of singing together, and incorporate sensory-rich activities, social and reflection time. This interactive, ongoing approach aims to elicit proven health benefits of creative arts, including improved health outcomes, reduced depression, increased engagement and pleasure, and improved self-esteem. This is a non-auditioned choir, and all singers are welcome! Interested in joining the choir? E-mail [email protected] – we would love to welcome you to this singing community!

Founded in 1939, KEYSTONE COMMUNITY SERVICES began as a small neighborhood community center. Today, Keystone reaches more than 40,000 people, primarily in the Ramsey County area, through a variety of programming and human services. Our name comes from a central wedge-shaped stone of an arch (a keystone) that locks the parts together and supports the whole, a fitting description for our organization as we serve and strengthen our community. Keystone connects seniors to services that help them stay engaged, healthy and independent – values shared by VocalEssence and the Vintage Voices program! Keystone’s programs are designed to meet seniors where they are at on the continuum of aging, offering everything from group fitness classes and social activities to in-home services and care management that help seniors remain living in the community. Our Meals on Wheels program helps seniors remain independent and living at home. We value all of our seniors and believe when seniors’ lives are strengthened, we improve our community. VocalEssence is delighted to be in partnership with Keystone, together strengthening the wellbeing of older adults in the St. Paul area and beyond through weekly participation in music and singing.