Choirs are a great way for older adults to stay engaged in their community — not only as singers but as volunteers too! Choirs don’t run on their own, the more hands on deck the more the choir functions smoothly and concerts are successful.
There are few requirements for joining a choir other than a willingness to sing. As for volunteering, choir members, and support people who don’t sing with the choir, get involved helping with all sorts of tasks to keep the choir and concerts running well.
There is a place for you with a choir!
The volunteer choir roles can and often do include,
- Setting up and putting away chairs and organizing the rehearsal room
- Librarians: organizing the choir’s sheet music library and distributing and retrieving sheet music
- Secretary: taking meeting notes, conveying information to the choir, handle correspondence, maintain the choir member list
- President: championing the choir, presiding at meetings, conveying choir news, helping others perform their roles
- Vice President: helping with the work of the President and eventually moving into the role of President
- Past-President: orienting the new President and supporting where needed
- Treasurer: taking in funds, bookkeeping, paying fees and rent, etc.
- Public Relations Coordinators: promoting concerts and special events, creating concert program booklets, tickets and concert posters
- Ticket Sales people: helping promote concerts and managing ticket sales
- Choir Marshal: organizing the choir’s seating and how the choir presents itself, helping with voice warm ups, etc.
- Wardrobe Coordinator: some choirs have a dress code which could be: wearing all black or black bottoms and white shirt, a special necktie or scarf)
- Wardrobe Assistant: helping choir members get ready back stage
- Handing out programs and greeting guests at concerts
- Helping to seat patrons at concerts
- Section Leaders: if your choir sings in different parts (bass, tenor, alto, soprano) these folks help with coordinating their section of the choir
- Assistant Choir Director: they step in if the choir director is away for a rehearsal
- Card Writer: organizing “greeting” or “get well soon” cards which the members sign
- Break Time Facilitator: making tea and putting out treats
- Break Time Shopper: buying the supplies and treats for break time
If you just wish to sing, and not formally volunteer, you’ll also be making the world a better, happier place and positively impacting your community too — you’ll be giving back through music which always brings joy!
The Choralairs Choir brings the joy of music to seniors living in long term care and retirement residences. It gives me great pleasure to use my voice to give happiness to others. Elaine R., member of the Choralairs Choir.
Singing in a choir can transport a gloomy mood, cure social isolation woes, bring positive vibes to you and others, change your body and mind chemistry, and make you happy!
A choir can be exclusively for older adults, but you could also be a part of a multi-generation choir. The benefits of either can include similar joy-filled experiences of meeting new people, making a joyful noise, giving to others through the love of song, sharing your love of music!
If you don’t sing but want to get involved, contact a local choir today and offer to help out!
More reading and for inspiration and ideas:
- “How Singing in a Choir can Improve Life for Seniors” found HERE.
- “Chor Singing Improves Health, Happiness and is the Perfect Icebreaker” found HERE.
- “Sing for Joy! A Choir that Uplifts Seniors” found HERE.
- “Health and Wellbeing Benefits of Joining a Choir” found HERE.
- The Mosaic Multicultural Seniors Choir found HERE.
- The Choralairs Choir found HERE.
- A Joyful Noise Choir found HERE.
- “The Benefits of Participation in a Choir…on Older Adults’ Wellbeing” found HERE.
