Aged to perfection: Singers find harmony in Vintage Voices
New 55-plus choir holds its first concert on May 16
May 7, 2024
By Carolyn Walkup | My Villager
Anyone passing by a certain classroom at the West Seventh Community Center on Wednesday afternoons may be surprised to hear the melodic sounds of senior citizens singing in harmony. The singers are members of a new choir affiliated with Minneapolis-based Vocal Essence Vintage Voices. Called the Keystone Community Singers, the choir is open to anyone age 55 and older who can carry a tune.
The choir has been meeting weekly this spring at the community center at 265 Oneida St. Their spring session culminates with a public concert at 6 p.m. Thursday, May 16, in the auditorium of the Merriam Park Community Center, 2000 Saint Anthony Ave. For those who are interested in joining the choir, another session begins in September.
Vocal Essence Vintage Voices founded adult choirs at the Sabathani Community Center in South Minneapolis in 2014 and the Trillium Woods senior living facility in Plymouth in 2016. Seeking to add a third choir in Saint Paul, conductor Robert Graham reached out to Keystone Community Services because of its robust programming for seniors.
“It’s a low-pressure, fun setting,” Graham said. “Our goal is not to be the best choir in town. It’s an opportunity for people to be challenged in a relaxed, light-hearted setting.”
Graham is an accomplished choral conductor with master’s degrees in vocal performance and choral conducting from Southern Illinois University. In addition to his work with Vocal Essence, he is a section leader and cantor at Westminster Presbyterian Church in Minneapolis.
“We’re thrilled to partner with Vocal Essence,” said Jen Winterfeldt, Keystone’s director of development and community engagement. “It’s a match made in heaven. Rob and John (Jensen, the piano accompanist) are so welcoming. We have a wide mix of singers, all of whom get along beautifully.”
An enthusiastic response to new choir
The response to the new choir has been enthusiastic. About 25 enrolled. They range in age from 55 to 95, and about half of them had previous experience singing in public. No auditions were necessary for the choir. The singers do not even need to know how to read music.
“It’s a low-pressure, fun setting,” Graham said. “Our goal is not to be the best choir in town. It’s an opportunity for people to be challenged in a relaxed, light-hearted setting.”
The songs Graham has chosen for the choir have a vocal range suitable for voices that may not be able to hit the high notes any more. They currently have parts for sopranos, altos and tenors, but that is mostly because there are no men in the group, though men are welcome to join. Among the songs being rehearsed for the upcoming concert are “Close to You” by Burt Bacharach, “Tomorrow” from the musical Annie, “Lovely Day” by Bill Withers, and the spirituals “Rock-a-My Soul,” “This Little Light of Mine” and “Ain’t Got Time to Die.”
Barbara McKernan, a member of the choir from Highland Park, is a soprano who has performed as a soloist with the Oratorio Society Summer Chorus and the North Suburban Chorus of Roseville. She said she likes the Keystone choir because the singers are at all levels and everyone is enthusiastic and willing to try new music. She also appreciates the direction of Graham.
“He makes it easy and puts people at ease like a director should do,” McKernan said. “The songs are very singable. This is way more fun than my church choir.”
Laura Raymond, a choir member from Macalester-Groveland, does not read music and has not sung in a group since her high school chorus. “This is pretty special,” she said. “Rob is very patient, and I can ask questions. I will definitely come back for the next session.”
Member Rhonda Simonson of Mendota Heights sang in a group in high school and was looking for fun activities since she retired from teaching in the Saint Paul Public Schools. The Keystone choir, she said, “was perfect. It’s a nice group of people. Rob is respectful and encouraging. There’s no pressure.”
Karlene Niva-Colgan, Keystone’s senior activity coordinator and a lifelong singer, joined the choir after meeting Graham. “Singing is joyful and touches your soul,” she said. “People are happy when they’re singing.”
Vintage Voices is funded with private donations and grants from the Minnesota State Arts Board.
Graham is looking forward to the May 16 concert. It represents a role reversal for his singers, he noted. After years of attending concerts performed by their children and grandchildren, they will be on stage performing for their families in the audience.
Anyone interested in joining Keystone Community Singers for the fall session may contact Graham at robert@vocalessence.org or 612-547-1458.