If you want to see what a retired banker, a beautician, a dentist, and a life coach have in common, visit a Continuing Education choral group rehearsal and watch each find their place as a soprano, alto, tenor or bass, and sing their heart out.
The Cedar Center Chorus, Pacificares and NOTEables are three groups that meet weekly through the Continuing Education Emeritus Program in choral classes for age 55+.
Students come from all walks of life and vary in ages from 30s to 90s. Some have been with the group for more than 20 years, and new students have joined the group as recent as last week. “We welcome all ages, and all levels of experience,” says Eunice Williams, Continuing Education Instructor and Conductor for the groups since 2004.
The greater San Diego community benefits when these semi-professionals perform at venues around town. The groups entertain both small and large audiences from local middle schools to large public music festivals in Balboa Park.
“I love the community that has been formed by the students,” she says. “I also love that we really create something so excellent for the audience.”
The repertoires are as varied as the students themselves. Vocalists and musicians perform jazz, classical, a cappella, Broadway show tunes, and even folk.
The groups are self-supporting, with the exception of the Cedar Center Chorus, which has access to special funds from Minnie M. Swanson, a former member. Swanson died at the age of 98, in 1986, leaving about 30% of her estate to the group. Interest from her sizeable gift of $314,000 continues to buy uniforms, sound equipment, sheet music, and pay rental fees for public performances such as the annual Minnie Swanson music festival in Balboa Park.
Recent venues include performances at the San Diego Summer Pops, the Neurosciences Institute Gala fundraiser, Twilight in the Park Summer Concert Series at Spreckels Organ Pavilion, the Shiley Theater at the University of San Diego, and in 2008 at the AMC Theaters in La Jolla Village for the San Diego premiere of the movie Young@Heart, an inspirational documentary that proves life is available to those who choose to keep living it—regardless of age.
“I sincerely, believe that music changes people’s lives,” says Williams. “I think everyone should be singing.”
In December, the Cedar Center Chorus will perform a holiday concert at the Neurosciences Institute Auditorium, singing various holiday traditions from around the world including favorites in Hebrew, French, and German. A violin, percussion drums, and bamboo musical instruments from the Philippines will accompany the multicultural performance that will be open to the public.
